BAGHDAD- Iraq's cabinet said on Thursday it would exempt the trade ministry from a requirement to tender for the purchase of strategic commodities that are part of the country's rationing programme.

The cabinet said it would instead allow the ministry to procure though direct purchase agreements.

(Reporting by Moayad Kenany; writing by Nadine Awadalla; editing by Jason Neely) ((Nadine.Awadalla@thomsonreuters.com;))