Iraq Parliament fails to reach deal on new government

World Today

Hopes for the quick formation of a new Iraqi government were dashed Tuesday when the first session of parliament failed to make progress and was forced to disband after less than two hours when minority Sunnis and Kurds walked out.

The deadlock came as a militant offensive grinds on in large parts of Iraq and neighbouring Syria, plus the United Nations said civilian casualties were a record high in June.

Acting speaker Mahdi al-Hafidh ended the proceedings after most of the 328-member legislature’s Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers did not return following a short break, depriving parliament of a quorum.

The entire session, from the opening national anthem to al-Hafidh’s final words, lasted less than two hours. CCTV’s Jim Spellman has the details.

 

Iraq Parliament fails to reach deal on new government

Hopes for the quick formation of a new Iraqi government were dashed Tuesday when the first session of parliament failed to make progress and was forced to disband after less than two hours when minority Sunnis and Kurds walked out.The entire session, from the opening national anthem to al-Hafidh's final words, lasted less than two hours. CCTV's Jim Spellman has the details.