UN calls on Iraqi leaders to agree on Speaker, hold next Parliament session

UN, 7 July 2014 – Ahead of tomorrow’s elections, the United Nations envoy for Iraq has called on the country’s political leaders to reach an agreement on a Speaker for the Council of Representatives as soon as possible.

According to a UN spokesperson in New York, over the last few days, Nickolay Mladenov, head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), has been in talks with a number of Iraqi political leaders and has encouraged everyone to stay within the framework of the constitutional political process.

Mr. Mladenov said that the blocs in Parliament should limit the number of days for final negotiations, and work within constitutionally mandated timelines for the necessary nominations.

Last month, Iraq’s newly elected Council was unable to reach an agreement on naming a new Speaker. Acting Speaker Mahdi al-Hafidh ended the proceedings after most of the 328-member legislature did not return from a short break, according to media reports.

At a recent press conference, Mr. Mladenov said it was imperative that national leaders work together to foil attempts by insurgents to destroy the social fabric of Iraqi society. Large parts of the country remain under the control of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/ISIS), and other armed groups.

June was the deadliest month in the country since 2007 with the insurgency claiming some 2,400 lives – more than half of them civilians. More than 2,417 Iraqis were killed and another 2,287 were injured in acts of terrorism and violence, acording to figures recently released by the UNAMI human rights team.
[ un.org]
7/7/14
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• Iraq parliament delays session until August

Iraq's newly elected parliament has postponed its next session until mid-August, according to state television, amid political deadlock over choosing a new prime minister.
Parliament met last Tuesday for the first time since its election in April and had planned to meet again this Tuesday.
Pressure is running high to quickly form a new government that can confront a Sunni-led rebellion that has overrun parts of western and northern Iraq.
The parliament said in a statement on Monday that following "discussions with the heads of the blocs and concerned parties", it was decided that "the next session will be held instead on August 12".
It expressed hope that "another chance will be available for more dialogue and discussions to arrange that meeting".
Under an informal system that took root after the 2003 US-led invasion that deposed Saddam Hussein, the prime minister's job goes to a Shia, the president's post to a Kurd and the speaker of parliament's chair to a Sunni.......[aljazeera.com]
7/7/14