Iraq Parliament Approves Abadi's Anti-Corruption Plan

Iraq Parliament Approves Abadi's Anti-Corruption Plan
Tue Aug 11, 2015 14:41:32

Iraq's parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's reform programme aimed at curbing corruption and reducing government waste .

Abadi on Sunday proposed a series of measures to combat corruption, after protests and a call from Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for drastic change.

"It was unanimously approved," parliament speaker Salim al-Juburi announced to applause after the vote, which was held without a debate as soon as the plan was read.

Of 328 members of parliament, 297 attended the session, Juburi said.

Juburi had urged MPs to sign off on the reforms proposed by Abadi, which have already been approved by the cabinet.

Iraqi demonstrators gather in the streets of the holy city of Najaf on August 10, 2015 shouting slogans in support of reforms proposed by Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi aimed at curbing corruption. Abadi proposed a series of measures aimed at curbing corruption, streamlining the government and improving services after a call from Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for drastic change. AFP

But he said that a complementary plan containing even more reforms was needed.

The second plan was also read and approved by parliament, and the session -- most of which was taken up by the reading of the two plans -- ended some 30 minutes after it began.

The approval is a victory for Abadi.

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