Fisticuffs Over Security Deal End Session of Iraqi Parliament

Sadr ally allegedly shoves speaker
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 19, 2008 3:16 PM CST
Fisticuffs Over Security Deal End Session of Iraqi Parliament
The reading of a security pact between the US and Iraq caused an uproar in the Iraqi parliament, with shouting between opposition and government lawmakers degenerating into shoving.   (AP Photo)

Discussion of the security deal between the US and Iraq deteriorated into a shouting match between members of the Iraqi parliament today, the New York Times reports. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the measure next week, but could not get through a reading of the agreement today before an opposition lawmaker allegedly physically attacked the speaker.

The session quickly ended in chaos. The supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, who hold 32 seats of the 275 in parliament, oppose any agreement with the US on principle. Other lawmakers object to aspects of the deal, or to what they see as an attempt by the ruling Shiite faction to force its passage, but it is not clear how they will ultimately vote. (More Iraq stories.)

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