Maliki accepts Dabbagh's resignation, newspaper

BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi political sources reported that Premier Nouri al-Maliki accepted the resignation of government speaker Ali al-Dabbagh for inclusion of his name in the corrupted Russian military deal.

London based al-Hayat daily reported that Maliki accepted Dabbagh's resignation, though his contract was extended till the end of 2014.

The sources said that the resignation was "part of an agreement to have an honorable exit for Dabbagh from the government by his will".

Dabbagh is the head of a political bloc that has 6 parliamentary seats.

The name of Dabbagh was mentioned in the Russian arms deal which contained corruption suspicions, but he denied his relations, and stressed that he informed premier Maliki of the matter before one month of his travel to Moscow.

Premier Maliki denied his knowledge of this notice.

Dabbagh announced on Thursday that he sent a letter to Premier Maliki, pointing that he "cannot work in an enmity atmosphere", leaving the decision to Maliki himself on his governmental position.