Iraqi president urges vote on assembly speaker’s fate

BAGHDAD

Iraqi President Fuad Masum on Tuesday called on lawmakers to hold an exceptional session of parliament to vote on whether or not to dismiss assembly speaker Salim al-Jabouri and two deputies.

According to a statement issued by Masum, the session should be chaired by an MP -- according to parliamentary bylaws -- while al-Jabouri should be given the chance to address the assembly before lawmakers vote whether or not to dismiss him.

Last Thursday, 171 MPs voted to dismiss al-Jabouri amid disputes over a proposed new cabinet lineup tabled by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.

The parliamentary leadership, however, rejected the vote as illegitimate, saying it had not achieved the necessary quorum.

The National Iraqi Alliance, for its part, the largest Sunni bloc in the assembly, has since declared its support for the parliamentary leadership.

BAGHDAD

Iraqi President Fuad Masum on Tuesday called on lawmakers to hold an exceptional session of parliament to vote on whether or not to dismiss assembly speaker Salim al-Jabouri and two deputies.

Last Thursday, 171 MPs voted to dismiss al-Jabouri amid disputes over a proposed new cabinet lineup tabled by Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.

The parliamentary leadership, however, rejected the vote as illegitimate, saying it had not achieved the necessary quorum.

The National Iraqi Alliance, for its part, the largest Sunni bloc in the assembly, has since declared its support for the parliamentary leadership.