Iraqi MPs likely to postpone selection of new president

BAGHDAD, Feb. 07 (YPA) – The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court on Sunday decided to suspend the nomination of Hoshyar Zebari as candidate for the presidency until a corruption lawsuit against him is resolved.

A large number of members of the House of Representatives said they would boycott Monday’s vote to choose the new head of state, prolonging a political confrontation.

“The Federal Supreme Court decided to temporarily suspend the procedures (nomination and voting in parliament) to elect Hoshyar Zebari to the post of President of the Republic until the case is resolved,” the Court said in a statement published on its official website.

The court decision came after some lawmakers filed a lawsuit against Zebari’s presidential candidacy over allegations of his financial and administrative corruption, according to the statement.

Sadr, Zebari’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and a Sunni coalition in the Lower House supported the former foreign minister’s candidacy.

E.M