Iraqi PM Abadi warns political crisis could hamper war on Islamic State
BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has warned that a political crisis engulfing his country over anti-graft reforms could hamper the war against Islamic State militants.
The crisis escalated this week with the cancellation of two voting sessions in parliament over a planned cabinet reshuffle sought by Abadi as part of his anti-corruption drive.
Tussles between lawmakers broke out on Wednesday, a day after the first attempted vote. After a second cancellation of the vote on Thursday dozens of lawmakers held a mock session where they removed the speaker.
"The conflict has crippled parliament ... and could obstruct the work of the government, impacting the heroic operations to free our cities and villages (from Islamic State)," Abadi said in a statement issued late on Thursday.
