Iraq's Finance Minister says efforts to stamp out corruption in the military must be a priority as he prepares to ask the cabinet to spend billions of dollars on defense and security.
Hoshiyar Zebari hopes 23 per cent of the proposed 100 billion US dollar 2015 budget will be spent on the sector as the country battles Islamic State militants.
The Iraqi military fared poorly when Islamic State fighters swept through the north of the country in June. U.S.-led air strikes have since helped Iraqi forces retake some territory from the extremists.
Mr Zebari says international support for the military is essential as it battles the Islamic State, but added that deep rooted reforms are needed to root out corruption and mismanagement.
FSN's Olly Barratt, in Erbil in Northern Iraq, says fighting corruption in the Iraqi military must be a priority.
IN: This is a problem…
OUT: ...Iraqi military."
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Iraq's fight against the Islamic State has been frustrated by violence between majority Shi'ites and Sunnis, as well as tensions with the Kurds in the north. However as FSN's Olly Barratt reports from Erbil in Northern Iraq, a recent deal with Kurdistan has eased tensions.
IN: Recent tensions…
OUT: ...Iraqi military."
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