Iraqi PM calls for major cabinet reshuffle

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday he would reshuffle his cabinet to replace ministers appointed on the basis of political affiliations with technocrats. "Out of my responsibility, the greater interest and the requirements of the current period to lead the country to safety, I call for a radical cabinet reshuffle to include professionals, technocrats and academics," Abadi said in a televised speech which focused mainly on economic challenges facing major OPEC oil exporter Iraq.