But in an open letter today to the security ministry, he said he would not leave.
But an official with the province's Security Ministry said the campaign never got going.
In 1950s Ministry of Public Security employed around 32,000 people.
Fire breaks out at Security Ministry on same day.
The Ministry of Public Security building was later built next to the police headquarters.
The Ministry of Public Security is the principal police authority.
He is trying to find candidates for Iraq's three security ministries who will not be vetoed by the rival political groups in his fragile coalition.
The security ministries - Interior and Defense - did not appear to be part of the shuffle.
I am not asking you to leave the Ministry of Public Security.
Additionally, each province has its own police force that responds to a provincial security ministry or secretariat.