Iraqi speaker quits over row

IRAQI parliament speaker Mahmud Mashhadani said yesterday that he will resign, ending a political crisis that had thrown into doubt arrangements for a British troop presence into next year.

Immediately following a speech by the fiery politician, parliament voted by an overwhelming majority to allow the presence of non-US foreign troops after December 31, when a UN mandate expires.

“I announce that I’m resigning from my position as parliament speaker in the interests of the people,” Mashhadani said in his speech to MPs, triggering applause.