The Iraqi Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 14) terminated the tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi, the news agency Reuters reported citing state media. In a video shared by his office, Halbousi said the court's decision was strange and implied that it violated the constitution and undermined national stability. "We are surprised by the issuance of such decisions, we are surprised by their lack of respect for the constitution," he said.

The Supreme Court's decision was related to the court case brought against the parliament speaker earlier this year. The ruling is final and not subject to appeal. Halbousi's ouster comes just over a month before Iraq holds elections for provincial councils that last happened a decade back.&nbsp;

Halbousi, 42, was first elected as speaker in 2018 and then re-elected four years later. An engineer by profession, he worked as a US contractor after the US invaded Iraq in 2003. Reuters reported that Halbousi cultivated good relations with Shi'ites and Kurds who helped his rise to power.

Speaking to Reuters, independent lawmaker Amer al-Fayiz said that lawmakers gathered for a regular parliamentary session Halbousi was in the chamber at the time that the decision (to end his tenure) was issued.&nbsp;

On hearing of the decision, Halbousi exited the chamber, Fayiz said.

Deputy speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi, a Shi'ite, takes over as interim speaker until a new speaker is elected.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Iraqi Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 14) terminated the tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi, the news agency Reuters reported citing state media. In a video shared by his office, Halbousi said the court's decision was strange and implied that it violated the constitution and undermined national stability.

The Iraqi Supreme Court on Tuesday (Nov 14) terminated the tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi, the news agency Reuters reported citing state media. In a video shared by his office, Halbousi said the court's decision was strange and implied that it violated the constitution and undermined national stability. "We are surprised by the issuance of such decisions, we are surprised by their lack of respect for the constitution," he said. The Supreme Court's decision was related to the court case brought against the parliament speaker earlier this year. The ruling is final and not subject to appeal. Halbousi's ouster comes just over a month before Iraq holds elections for provincial councils that last happened a decade back. Halbousi, 42, was first elected as speaker in 2018 and then re-elected four years later. An engineer by profession, he worked as a US contractor after the US invaded Iraq in 2003. Reuters reported that Halbousi cultivated good relations with Shi'ites and Kurds who helped his rise to power. Speaking to Reuters, independent lawmaker Amer al-Fayiz said that lawmakers gathered for a regular parliamentary session Halbousi was in the chamber at the time that the decision (to end his tenure) was issued. On hearing of the decision, Halbousi exited the chamber, Fayiz said. Deputy speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi, a Shi'ite, takes over as interim speaker until a new speaker is elected. (With inputs from agencies)

Iraqi Supreme Court terminates tenure of parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi

Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday, a key step forward after bitter infighting between Shiite Muslim factions and deadly violence following contested elections.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's 21-member cabinet is expected to face myriad challenges.

The oil-rich but war-ravaged country is plagued by endemic corruption, rampant unemployment and decaying infrastructure.

"Our ministerial team will shoulder the responsibility at this critical period, in which the world is witnessing tremendous political and economic changes and conflicts," Sudani's office said in a statement after the vote.

Those changes will "add new challenges to our country, which is already suffering from accumulated crises, that have had economic, social, humanitarian and environmental impacts on our citizens", it added.

It said that Sudani's government obtained the confidence of&nbsp;parliament, but did not gave a breakdown of the vote which took place by a show of hands.

It added, however, that 253 MPs out of&nbsp;parliament's 329 members were present at the session.

Sudani, 52, was chosen to form the new government on October 13 following months of infighting between key Shiite Muslim factions that plunged the country into political deadlock.

Elections 'within a year'

The movement of firebrand cleric Moqtada, Sudani's rival in&nbsp;Iraq's majority Shiite camp, refused to join the government.

But Sudani had the backing of the Coalition for the Administration of the State, which includes the Coordination Framework, an alliance of powerful pro-Iran Shiite factions that hold 138 out of 329 seats in&nbsp;parliament.

Other members include a Sunni grouping led by&nbsp;parliament&nbsp;speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi, and two key Kurdish parties.

Of the 21 ministries nominated, 12 posts go to Shiites supported by the Coordination Framework, six to Sunni leaders, two to Kurds and one to a Christian woman -- one of three females in the new government.

Some analysts say a new government does not mean the end of the power struggle between the Sadr and Coordination Framework camp that spilled into deadly clashes in August.

Ihsan al-Shammari, a political scientist at the University of Baghdad, said in order to avoid fresh unrest the new cabinet and the Coordination Framework should deliver reforms as demanded by Sadr.

Sudani has pledged to hold early elections "within a year" as requested by Sadr, a grey-bearded preacher who once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces.

Endemic corruption

The new prime minister and his government were confirmed at a time when&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;is facing numerous challenges and a battered economy.

State institutions have been weakened by decades of war, and corruption is endemic.

Official figures published last year estimated that well over $400 billion had gone missing from state coffers in the near two decades since dictator Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003.

One of Sudani's first task would be to adopt a budget for 2022 -- a move key to unblock huge revenues from oil exports earned this year that are locked up in the central bank's coffers.

The colossal $87 billion in foreign exchange reserves are needed to put in motion much-needed reforms and kickstart infrastructure projects.

Despite its immense oil and gas reserves, about one-third of&nbsp;Iraq's 41 million population now lives in poverty, while some 35 per cent of young people are unemployed, according to the UN.

On Thursday, the UN mission in&nbsp;Iraq&nbsp;said it "welcomes confirmation of Iraqi government, reaffirms readiness to support".
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Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday, a key step forward after bitter infighting between Shiite Muslim factions and deadly violence following contested elections.

Iraqi lawmakers approved a new government on Thursday, a key step forward after bitter infighting between Shiite Muslim factions and deadly violence following contested elections. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's 21-member cabinet is expected to face myriad challenges. The oil-rich but war-ravaged country is plagued by endemic corruption, rampant unemployment and decaying infrastructure. "Our ministerial team will shoulder the responsibility at this critical period, in which the world is witnessing tremendous political and economic changes and conflicts," Sudani's office said in a statement after the vote. Those changes will "add new challenges to our country, which is already suffering from accumulated crises, that have had economic, social, humanitarian and environmental impacts on our citizens", it added. It said that Sudani's government obtained the confidence of parliament, but did not gave a breakdown of the vote which took place by a show of hands. It added, however, that 253 MPs out of parliament's 329 members were present at the session. Sudani, 52, was chosen to form the new government on October 13 following months of infighting between key Shiite Muslim factions that plunged the country into political deadlock. Elections 'within a year' The movement of firebrand cleric Moqtada, Sudani's rival in Iraq's majority Shiite camp, refused to join the government. But Sudani had the backing of the Coalition for the Administration of the State, which includes the Coordination Framework, an alliance of powerful pro-Iran Shiite factions that hold 138 out of 329 seats in parliament. Other members include a Sunni grouping led by parliament speaker Mohammed al-Halbussi, and two key Kurdish parties. Of the 21 ministries nominated, 12 posts go to Shiites supported by the Coordination Framework, six to Sunni leaders, two to Kurds and one to a Christian woman -- one of three females in the new government. Some analysts say a new government does not mean the end of the power struggle between the Sadr and Coordination Framework camp that spilled into deadly clashes in August. Ihsan al-Shammari, a political scientist at the University of Baghdad, said in order to avoid fresh unrest the new cabinet and the Coordination Framework should deliver reforms as demanded by Sadr. Sudani has pledged to hold early elections "within a year" as requested by Sadr, a grey-bearded preacher who once led a militia against American and Iraqi government forces. Endemic corruption The new prime minister and his government were confirmed at a time when Iraq is facing numerous challenges and a battered economy. State institutions have been weakened by decades of war, and corruption is endemic. Official figures published last year estimated that well over $400 billion had gone missing from state coffers in the near two decades since dictator Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. One of Sudani's first task would be to adopt a budget for 2022 -- a move key to unblock huge revenues from oil exports earned this year that are locked up in the central bank's coffers. The colossal $87 billion in foreign exchange reserves are needed to put in motion much-needed reforms and kickstart infrastructure projects. Despite its immense oil and gas reserves, about one-third of Iraq's 41 million population now lives in poverty, while some 35 per cent of young people are unemployed, according to the UN. On Thursday, the UN mission in Iraq said it "welcomes confirmation of Iraqi government, reaffirms readiness to support". WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Iraq parliament approves new government after year of deadlock

Demanding that parliament be dissolved, influential Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr called for fresh elections in Iraq on Wednesday.

Highlighting that he has "no interest" in negotiating with his rivals, Sadr said Iraq has been without a government for nearly 10 months.

In protest at a rival Shiite faction's nomination for a prime minister, Sadr's supporters occupied parliament for a fifth consecutive day.

Taking over the parliament building to prevent his opponents from forming a government, thousands of followers of Sadr stormed Baghdad's Green Zone last week.

Calling his moves a coup and demanding his supporters leave parliament, Sadr's rivals then staged Monday's counter-protest outside the Green Zone.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-sadrist-movement-to-coordination-framework-who-are-iraqs-competing-shiite-groups-502709">From Sadrist movement to Coordination Framework: Who are Iraq’s competing Shi’ite groups</a>

The rival protests a dangerous prospect for Iraq and threatens to drag it into more violence, each side is backed by heavily-armed paramilitaries.

Accusing powerful parties and militias of making a mockery of the demonstrations in 2019, Iraqi activists blame them for the country being mired in dysfunction despite its vast oil wealth and relative peace in recent years.

Sadr's social-political Sadrist Movement has been widely accused of corruption and nepotism that sent Iraq into chaos as the Islamic State took over a third of the country in 2014.

Denying they have mismanaged state institutions and stolen money, Iraq's main Shi'ite leaders share power with large but less influential Sunni and Kurdish parties.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Demanding that parliament be dissolved, influential Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr called for fresh elections in Iraq on Wednesday. Highlighting that he has "no interest" in negotiating with his rivals, Sadr said Iraq has been without a government for nearly 10 months.

Demanding that parliament be dissolved, influential Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr called for fresh elections in Iraq on Wednesday. Highlighting that he has "no interest" in negotiating with his rivals, Sadr said Iraq has been without a government for nearly 10 months. In protest at a rival Shiite faction's nomination for a prime minister, Sadr's supporters occupied parliament for a fifth consecutive day. Taking over the parliament building to prevent his opponents from forming a government, thousands of followers of Sadr stormed Baghdad's Green Zone last week. Calling his moves a coup and demanding his supporters leave parliament, Sadr's rivals then staged Monday's counter-protest outside the Green Zone. Also see | From Sadrist movement to Coordination Framework: Who are Iraq’s competing Shi’ite groups The rival protests a dangerous prospect for Iraq and threatens to drag it into more violence, each side is backed by heavily-armed paramilitaries. Accusing powerful parties and militias of making a mockery of the demonstrations in 2019, Iraqi activists blame them for the country being mired in dysfunction despite its vast oil wealth and relative peace in recent years. Sadr's social-political Sadrist Movement has been widely accused of corruption and nepotism that sent Iraq into chaos as the Islamic State took over a third of the country in 2014. Denying they have mismanaged state institutions and stolen money, Iraq's main Shi'ite leaders share power with large but less influential Sunni and Kurdish parties. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

'Dissolve the parliament': Influential Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr calls for fresh elections in Iraq

In pics: Iraqi Shia cleric supporters storm parliament again amid unrest over Iran-backed groups

Iraq's parliament has voted in favour of a resolution to remove foreign troops from the country, in response to the US drone attack that killed top Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.

Iraq's parliament votes to expel all 5,000 US troops

Iraq's parliament on January 5 backed Prime Minister's suggestion, which directs all foreign troops to be ordered out. #WION #Iraq #US

Iraq Parliament votes to expel US troops

Iraq's parliament approved the resignation of the embattled cabinet on Sunday, after two months of violent unrest that have left more than 420 people dead and thousands mourning them in nationwide marches.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said Friday he would submit his resignation to parliament following a spike in the death toll among protesters who accuse the entire ruling elite of being inept, corrupt and beholden to foreign powers.

The demonstrations spread from their epicentre in Baghdad and the mostly Shiite south to the northern, majority-Sunni city of Mosul, where hundreds of students dressed in black organised a mourning march for fallen activists.

Parliament opened its session on Sunday afternoon and within minutes had approved Abdel Mahdi's resignation, which according to the constitution renders him and the entire cabinet a "caretaker government."

The speaker of parliament said he would now ask President Barham Saleh to name a new prime minister.

Just before the session began, another protester was shot dead in the capital, medical sources said.

The protest movement is Iraq's biggest since the US-led invasion of 2003 toppled Saddam Hussein and installed a democratic system in the oil-rich but poverty-plagued nation.

The demonstrators have vented their anger at neighbouring Iran, which is seen to wield huge influence in Iraq, with protesters last week burning down an Iranian consulate.

"Abdel Mahdi should leave, so should parliament and the parties, and Iran," said a young demonstrator on Baghdad's Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the centre of the protest movement that started in early October.

First death sentence

In other developments, an Iraqi court sentenced a police officer to death on Sunday after convicting him of killing demonstrators, the first such sentence in two months of deadly civil unrest.

The Kut criminal court sentenced the police major to be hanged and jailed a police lieutenant colonel for seven years for their roles in the deaths of seven protesters in the southern city on November 2, judicial sources said.

In Mosul, protesters were marching in solidarity with activists elsewhere in the country.

"It's the least Mosul can give to the martyrs of Dhi Qar and Najaf," said Zahraa Ahmed, a dentistry student, naming the two provinces where most of the recent deaths took place.&nbsp;

"The protesters are asking for their basic rights so the government should have answered from the beginning."

Previously, most Sunni-majority areas had refrained from protesting, fearing that opposing the central government would earn them the labels of being "terrorists" or supporters of Saddam Hussein.

For three years, Mosul was the heart of the Islamic State group's ultra-conservative "caliphate", and much of it still lies in ruins today.

Another student in Mosul, Hussein Kheder, carrying an Iraqi flag, said the whole country was now on the same page politically and told AFP that "now the government needs to heed the protesters' demands".

In Salaheddin, a Sunni-majority province north of Baghdad where rallies were held for the first time, authorities had already declared on Friday three days of mourning for the victims.&nbsp;

And eight Shiite-majority provinces &nbsp;announced a day of mourning on Sunday during which government offices would remain shut.

More than 20 people were killed in the Shiite shrine city of Najaf, 40 people in the hotspot of Nasiriyah and three in the capital Baghdad in three consecutive days of violence.

On Sunday, an AFP correspondent reported calm in Nasiriyah, the birthplace of Abdel Mahdi, who came to power just a year ago based on a shaky alliance between rival parties.

He had resisted protesters' calls for him to step down over the past two months.

But the crackdown turned the tide this week, as it prompted Iraq's Shiite spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, to call on parliament to drop its support for the premier.

In quick succession, political factions indicated they would support a no-confidence motion.

Iraq's parliament approved the resignation of the embattled cabinet on Sunday, after two months of violent unrest that have left more than 420 people dead and thousands mourning them in nationwide marches.

Iraq's parliament approved the resignation of the embattled cabinet on Sunday, after two months of violent unrest that have left more than 420 people dead and thousands mourning them in nationwide marches. Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi said Friday he would submit his resignation to parliament following a spike in the death toll among protesters who accuse the entire ruling elite of being inept, corrupt and beholden to foreign powers. The demonstrations spread from their epicentre in Baghdad and the mostly Shiite south to the northern, majority-Sunni city of Mosul, where hundreds of students dressed in black organised a mourning march for fallen activists. Parliament opened its session on Sunday afternoon and within minutes had approved Abdel Mahdi's resignation, which according to the constitution renders him and the entire cabinet a "caretaker government." The speaker of parliament said he would now ask President Barham Saleh to name a new prime minister. Just before the session began, another protester was shot dead in the capital, medical sources said. The protest movement is Iraq's biggest since the US-led invasion of 2003 toppled Saddam Hussein and installed a democratic system in the oil-rich but poverty-plagued nation. The demonstrators have vented their anger at neighbouring Iran, which is seen to wield huge influence in Iraq, with protesters last week burning down an Iranian consulate. "Abdel Mahdi should leave, so should parliament and the parties, and Iran," said a young demonstrator on Baghdad's Tahrir (Liberation) Square, the centre of the protest movement that started in early October. First death sentence In other developments, an Iraqi court sentenced a police officer to death on Sunday after convicting him of killing demonstrators, the first such sentence in two months of deadly civil unrest. The Kut criminal court sentenced the police major to be hanged and jailed a police lieutenant colonel for seven years for their roles in the deaths of seven protesters in the southern city on November 2, judicial sources said. In Mosul, protesters were marching in solidarity with activists elsewhere in the country. "It's the least Mosul can give to the martyrs of Dhi Qar and Najaf," said Zahraa Ahmed, a dentistry student, naming the two provinces where most of the recent deaths took place. "The protesters are asking for their basic rights so the government should have answered from the beginning." Previously, most Sunni-majority areas had refrained from protesting, fearing that opposing the central government would earn them the labels of being "terrorists" or supporters of Saddam Hussein. For three years, Mosul was the heart of the Islamic State group's ultra-conservative "caliphate", and much of it still lies in ruins today. Another student in Mosul, Hussein Kheder, carrying an Iraqi flag, said the whole country was now on the same page politically and told AFP that "now the government needs to heed the protesters' demands". In Salaheddin, a Sunni-majority province north of Baghdad where rallies were held for the first time, authorities had already declared on Friday three days of mourning for the victims. And eight Shiite-majority provinces announced a day of mourning on Sunday during which government offices would remain shut. More than 20 people were killed in the Shiite shrine city of Najaf, 40 people in the hotspot of Nasiriyah and three in the capital Baghdad in three consecutive days of violence. On Sunday, an AFP correspondent reported calm in Nasiriyah, the birthplace of Abdel Mahdi, who came to power just a year ago based on a shaky alliance between rival parties. He had resisted protesters' calls for him to step down over the past two months. But the crackdown turned the tide this week, as it prompted Iraq's Shiite spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, to call on parliament to drop its support for the premier. In quick succession, political factions indicated they would support a no-confidence motion.

After months of protests, Iraq parliament approves cabinet resignation

Iraqi lawmakers voted Monday to call on the government to enact a reciprocal travel ban on Americans if Washington does not withdraw its decision to ban bar Iraqis, officials said.

The call is a response to President Donald Trump&#39;s executive order barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the US for at least 90 days, a move he billed as an effort to make America safe from &quot;radical Islamic terrorists&quot;.

Parliament called on the Iraqi government to &quot;respond in kind to the American decision in the event that the American side does not withdraw its decision&quot;, a parliamentary official who was present for the vote told AFP.

&quot;Parliament voted by majority on calling on the Iraqi government and the foreign ministry to respond in kind,&quot; MP Hakim al-Zamili said.

Sadiq al-Laban, another lawmaker, confirmed that &quot;the vote was for a call on the government&quot; to enact reciprocal measures.

&quot;We are against this stance from the new administration,&quot; Laban said, adding: &quot;We hope that the American administration will rethink... this decision.&quot;

Trump&#39;s decision led to the detention of incoming refugees at US airports, sparking protests, legal challenges and widespread condemnation from rights groups.

The travel restrictions, which come on the heels of repeated assertions by Trump that the US should have stolen Iraq&#39;s oil before leaving in 2011, risk alienating the citizens and government of a country fighting against militants the president has cast as a major threat to America.

(AFP)

The call is a response to Trump's move of barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the US

Iraqi lawmakers voted Monday to call on the government to enact a reciprocal travel ban on Americans if Washington does not withdraw its decision to ban bar Iraqis, officials said. The call is a response to President Donald Trump's executive order barring citizens of Iraq, Iran, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen from entering the US for at least 90 days, a move he billed as an effort to make America safe from "radical Islamic terrorists". Parliament called on the Iraqi government to "respond in kind to the American decision in the event that the American side does not withdraw its decision", a parliamentary official who was present for the vote told AFP. "Parliament voted by majority on calling on the Iraqi government and the foreign ministry to respond in kind," MP Hakim al-Zamili said. Sadiq al-Laban, another lawmaker, confirmed that "the vote was for a call on the government" to enact reciprocal measures. "We are against this stance from the new administration," Laban said, adding: "We hope that the American administration will rethink... this decision." Trump's decision led to the detention of incoming refugees at US airports, sparking protests, legal challenges and widespread condemnation from rights groups. The travel restrictions, which come on the heels of repeated assertions by Trump that the US should have stolen Iraq's oil before leaving in 2011, risk alienating the citizens and government of a country fighting against militants the president has cast as a major threat to America. (AFP)

Iraq parliament votes on reciprocal travel ban on Americans

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday approved a law that will recognise the coalition of Shia militias, the Popular Mobilisation forces, as separate military corps, Reuters reported.&nbsp;

According to the law, the Iranian-backed coalition will now work alongside the military to fight the Islamic State.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed the legislation.

The legislation was welcomed by 208 of the 327 members, comprising all Shiite blocks in the parliament. Lawyers from the Sunni minority, however, boycotted the bill, raising objection to the existence of armed forces outside the army and police.&nbsp;

&quot;I don&#39;t understand why we need to have an alternative force to the army and the police,&quot; said Sunni member of parliament (MP) Raad al-Dahlaki. &quot;As it stands now, it would constitute something that looks like Iran&#39;s Revolutionary Guard,&quot; he added.

They also said that the law will escalate sectarian tensions between the two communities in the war-torn country.&nbsp;

The law, however, doesn&#39;t say anything about the number of the fighters that will be incorporated under the newly legalised Popular Mobilisation corps, though the corps already claims to have a more than 11,000 fighters.&nbsp;

Iraqi forces started an offensive on October 17 to capture Mosul, the last major city of the Islamic State&#39;s stronghold in Iraq, on October 17. The Popular Mobilisation corps are supporting the forces, and Shia militias will be working alongside to fight the terror group.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

The session was boycotted by lawmakers from the Sunni minority who object to the existence of armed forces outside the army and police

The Iraqi parliament on Saturday approved a law that will recognise the coalition of Shia militias, the Popular Mobilisation forces, as separate military corps, Reuters reported. According to the law, the Iranian-backed coalition will now work alongside the military to fight the Islamic State. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi hailed the legislation. The legislation was welcomed by 208 of the 327 members, comprising all Shiite blocks in the parliament. Lawyers from the Sunni minority, however, boycotted the bill, raising objection to the existence of armed forces outside the army and police. "I don't understand why we need to have an alternative force to the army and the police," said Sunni member of parliament (MP) Raad al-Dahlaki. "As it stands now, it would constitute something that looks like Iran's Revolutionary Guard," he added. They also said that the law will escalate sectarian tensions between the two communities in the war-torn country. The law, however, doesn't say anything about the number of the fighters that will be incorporated under the newly legalised Popular Mobilisation corps, though the corps already claims to have a more than 11,000 fighters. Iraqi forces started an offensive on October 17 to capture Mosul, the last major city of the Islamic State's stronghold in Iraq, on October 17. The Popular Mobilisation corps are supporting the forces, and Shia militias will be working alongside to fight the terror group. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Iraq's parliament passes law legalising Shia militias into military corps

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