Iraq’s government has plunged into a political crisis at a time it is fighting advances by Islamic State militants.

Iraq’s highest court ordered parliament back to work after a seven-month political impasse that has blocked the formation of a new government.

Iraq’s new parliament convened for just less than 20 minutes today in what was little more than a symbolic inaugural session because of unresolved differences over key government positions, three months after inconclusive elections.

Iraq’s new parliament convened today, more than three months after inconclusive national elections left the country in political limbo.

THE framers of Iraq’s constitution appear likely to enshrine Islam as the main basis of law in the country - a stronger role than the US had hoped for and one some Iraqis fear will mean a more fundamentalist regime.