Thursday, February 15, 2007
Iraq considering Malaysian model for new constitution
Politics
(AP) Iraq is looking to ethnically diverse and harmonious Malaysia as a possible model for a new Iraqi constitution, an official was reported as saying Thursday. Hummam Hammoudi, the head of a committee considering amendments to the Iraqi constitution, made the comments during a dinner hosted by the northern state of Penang for visiting Iraqi lawmakers and U.N. officials, according to the report by Malaysia's national news agency Bernama.
Neither Hammoudi nor Iraqi embassy officials could be immediately reached to confirm his comments. Hammoudi's committee is studying how the constitution can be revised to foster peace and end sectarian strife.
Hammoudi is a Shiite lawmaker and cleric on the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, which makes up the largest party in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's ruling coalition. Hammoudi's 29-member committee is dominated by 12 members from the Shiite bloc. The others are Kurds, Sunnis, other minorities and secularists.
The panel is expected to propose the amendments by mid-May. A national referendum will be held on the changes after they are approved by a majority vote in the 275-member legislature.
Neither Hammoudi nor Iraqi embassy officials could be immediately reached to confirm his comments. Hammoudi's committee is studying how the constitution can be revised to foster peace and end sectarian strife.
Hammoudi is a Shiite lawmaker and cleric on the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, which makes up the largest party in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's ruling coalition. Hammoudi's 29-member committee is dominated by 12 members from the Shiite bloc. The others are Kurds, Sunnis, other minorities and secularists.
The panel is expected to propose the amendments by mid-May. A national referendum will be held on the changes after they are approved by a majority vote in the 275-member legislature.
Labels: constitution, Malaysia, politics
