Iraq’s parliament yesterday postponed indefinitely what would have been only its second session since a March election, extending a political deadlock that has plagued the country.
“We are postponing the session until further notice because the political entities failed to reach any agreement,” Fouad Massum, who as the oldest member of parliament holds the post of caretaker speaker, told a news conference.
“We held a meeting this morning with the heads of the parliamentary blocs and we agreed to give more time to political entities to reach agreement regarding the selection of a speaker and his two deputies,” he said.
PHOTO: AFP
“The representatives of the political entities insisted on calling the current government a caretaker administration,” he said.
Yesterday’s session was to have been only the second since the March 7 parliamentary election. The first, which took place on June 14, was adjourned after only 20 minutes.
The country’s four main political groups have been unable to hammer out a coalition deal since the nationwide vote, with the political vacuum dogging Iraq a month before US combat troops are due to leave the country.
“It is a disappointing decision,” said Member of Parliament Salim al-Juburi, who is with the Sunni Tawafuq party.
“Each day that passes means the suffering is increasing, the security situation is aggravating, and we are moving far from the interests of the people,” he said.
Meanwhile, at least 25 people were killed on Monday when two car bombs targeting Shiite pilgrims exploded during a religious festival in the holy city of Karbala, Iraqi police said.
Militants detonated two parked cars filled with explosives about 3km apart as crowds of pilgrims passed by. Police and medical officials in Karbala said 68 people were injured in the attacks.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the bombings, but the method is the hallmark of Sunni extremists.
Earlier on Monday in Baghdad, a suicide bomber driving a minibus blew himself up in front of the Baghdad office of Al-Arabiya news channel, killing six people, injuring 16 and burying a lawmaker alive under the rubble of his collapsed home, police and hospital officials said.
The bomber was apparently waved through the two checkpoints leading to the station’s office along a narrow street after security guards checked his identification, Iraqi military spokesman Major General Qassim al-Moussawi said.
Former deputy prime minister Salam al-Zubaie, who lives nearby, was rescued from under the rubble of his home and underwent surgery, an aide said.
In related news, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrived in Iraq yesterday to review plans for a troop drawdown and efforts to form a governing coalition.
Mullen was scheduled to meet Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the commander of US forces, General Ray Odierno, officials said.
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