UIA leaders hold meeting to discuss 2009 budget

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Leaders of the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) held a meeting in Baghdad under Abdulaziz al-Hakim and discussed the 2009 budget, according to a statement released by the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC) on Wednesday. “They called for speeding up discussing the budget in the parliament,” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The meeting asserted also the importance of electing a new speaker of the parliament to help the Iraqi parliament undertake its role as the highest legislative authority in the country,” it added. “The meeting was attended by Vice President Adel Abdul Mahdi, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Head of security and defense committee Hadi al-Aameri and First Deputy Speaker Sheikh Khaled al-Attiya,” it said. Less than 55 days ago, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani stepped down as Parliament speaker following a heated argument with members of parliamentary committees, during which he allegedly used “offensive” language that prompted many parliamentarians to call for his resignation. Five candidates are currently running for the position of the speaker. SH (S) 1