Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi decided Sunday to cancel four ministries, Al Sumaria news reported Sunday, citing a statement by Abadi's office.

He removed the human rights ministry, the ministry of state for women's affairs, the ministry of state for provincial and parliamentary affairs, and a third ministry of state.

This came as part of a wide-ranging reform program.

Four more ministries were merged with others, the statement said.

Abadi decided to merge the science and technology ministry with higher education, environment with health, municipalities with reconstruction and housing, and tourism and antiquities with culture.