Iraqi Cabinet OKs draft law to set up national guard

The Iraqi cabinet approved on Tuesday two draft laws, one that would see the creation of a national guard, the other aimed at reforming government policies toward former members of the Baath party.

The bills will now be passed on to the Parliament for approval, said Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's spokesman Rafid Jaboori, Reuters reported.

The creation of a national guard has been a key demand of Sunni politicians in order to fight Islamic State. Ending the ban on ex-members of the Baath party, which ruled Iraq before the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, from public service has also been a key Sunni demand.

(With Reuters)