Iraq’s parliament has officially rescheduled its next session for July 13th. This comes after criticism over initial plans for a five-week break.
Acting parliament speaker Mahdi al-Hafidh said in a statement that after considering "national interest," the next session will be this Sunday instead of August 12th. He warned that any delay in forming a new government "will jeopardize Iraq’s security and democracy and will increase the suffering of Iraqis." He also called on all political rivals to "shoulder their responsibilities and set aside their differences to fight terrorism to put Iraq back on the path of democracy."
Lawmakers are under pressure to quickly form a new government that can unite the country and roll back the insurgents. The legislature held its first session since April elections last week, but failed to agree on a new speaker, president and prime minister.
