Fisticuffs Over Security Deal End Session of Iraqi Parliament

Discussion of the security deal between the US and Iraq deteriorated into a shouting match between members of the Iraqi parliament today, the New York Times reports. Parliament is scheduled to vote on the measure next week, but could not get through a reading of the agreement today before an opposition lawmaker allegedly physically attacked the speaker.

The session quickly ended in chaos. The supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr, who hold 32 seats of the 275 in parliament, oppose any agreement with the US on principle. Other lawmakers object to aspects of the deal, or to what they see as an attempt by the ruling Shiite faction to force its passage, but it is not clear how they will ultimately vote. (More Iraq stories.)