No confidence vote against Iraqi defence minister

Iraq’s parliament yesterday passed a vote of no confidence against Defence Minister Khaled Al-Obeidi.

The vote comes after weeks of political wrangling over corruption allegations.

MP Rehab Al-Abboudeh of the ruling State of Law coalition told the Anadolu Agency that out of 262 lawmakers present in the 328-member parliament, 142 voted for the no confidence motion.

According to the Iraqi constitution, a vote of no confidence from means the minister “is considered resigned from the date of the decision.”

Deputy Parliament Speaker Aram Sheikh Mohammad headed the voting session instead of Parliament Speaker Salim Al-Jubouri.

On 1 August, the parliament summoned Al-Obeidi to respond to allegations of huge graft in his ministry.

However, the minister accused officials including Al-Jubouri and other lawmakers of blackmailing him.