Iraqi PM issues leave for Kurdish ministers

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has ordered Kurdish ministers in his government to go on a compulsory work leave and nominated other ministers to do their work. The Kurdish ministers have reacted by sending a high-level delegation to Washington to discuss the crisis. Ali al-Moussawi, media advisor of the Iraqi Prime Minister told Arabstoday that "the prime minister issued a decision on Sunday granting Kurdish Ministers a leave after dropping out Council of Ministers meetings weeks ago." Al-Moussawi added; "Maliki also decided to entrust the roles of the Kurds to other ministers" The Regional government of Kurdistan has sent a high-level delegation to the United States to hold some official meetings to clarify the point of view regarding some issues of common interest at local and regional levels. The regional presidency of Kudistan declared: "The delegation will discuss relations between the region and the United States during meetings with senior officials in the White House and State Department and Pentagon, in addition to visiting congress and Senate House."