Iraq's Shiite militias formally inducted into security forces

BAGHDAD, March 9 (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi issued a decree on Thursday formalizing the inclusion of Shiite paramilitary groups in the country's security forces.

According to the decree, members of the Shiite militias, an assortment of militia groups known collectively as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which are mostly backed and trained by Iran, will be granted many of the same rights as members the military.

Paramilitary members will be given equivalent salaries to those members of the military under the Ministry of Defense's control, the decree said. They will also be subject to the laws of military service and will gain access to military institutes and colleges.

The decree had been expected for some time and comes two months ahead of a high-stakes general election. The PMF commands popular support among Iraq's majority Shiite population and is expected to sway voters.