Iraqi row delays crucial vote on British troops mandate

The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament today suspended moves to approve a contentious resolution that would allow British and other non-American troops to remain in the country.

Mahmoud al-Mashhadani called for a delay in voting after a group of MPs demanded his resignation for insulting them during a recent parliamentary shouting match over the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at President Bush.

The lawmakers said they were boycotting today’s session until their demands were met.

The speaker threatened to resign last week after he failed to bring under control an unruly debate over the shoe-throwing incident. Last Wednesday the first reading of the resolution failed in the aftermath of Muntathar al-Zaidi’s “attack” on the American President.