Iraq's parliament elected on Thursday Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its speaker, lawmakers said, breaking a nearly year-long deadlock over the position that had remained vacant due to protracted disagreements among political factions.
Iraqi Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani speaks during a news conference in Baghdad August 23, 2014. Reuters/Thaier al-Sudani
Iraq's parliament elected on Thursday Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its speaker, lawmakers said, breaking a nearly year-long deadlock over the position that had remained vacant due to protracted disagreements among political factions.
The stalemate followed a decision by the Federal Supreme Court last November which upended the career of former speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, Iraq's most powerful Sunni Muslim politician and set the stage for a fight over succession.
Mashhadani, who previously served as parliament speaker from 2006 to 2008, was elected to the post again with significant support from the coalition that includes influential Shi'ite parties and Iran-aligned groups along with the State of Law coalition, which is led by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
The role of speaker is pivotal in maintaining legislative order and facilitating dialogue between diverse factions. The position also involves mediating conflicts and fostering consensus among lawmakers, which is crucial in Iraq’s often fragmented political landscape.
Under a power-sharing system designed to avoid sectarian conflict, Iraq's president is a Kurd, its prime minister a Shi'ite and its parliament speaker a Sunni.
Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed
Syrian authorities said on Thursday they had foiled an attempt to smuggle advanced weapons and missiles across the border from Iraq, with state news agency SANA citing an Interior Ministry source as saying the shipment appeared destined for militant group Hezbollah.
The U.S. struck Iran's coastal defenses and missile sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of its ports, while Iran threatened to shut off more regional energy exports, saying it was engaged in an "existential war" with America.
The Syrian Liberal Party has called the passage of a modern Political Parties Law an urgent constitutional necessity, arguing it can no longer be treated as ordinary legislation but as a precondition for completing Syria's transitional phase.
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