Iraq's parliament votes to "retaliate" against Trump's travel banJanuary 30, 2017 - 17:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraq's parliament has voted to take "reciprocal measures" in reaction to the new U.S. travel ban on citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries, The Independent reports. The majority vote - which is binding - means parliament will ask the government to retaliate by implementing visa restrictions on Americans visiting Iraq, a parliamentary official said on Monday. It is not immediately clear whether the vote will impact American civilians and military already living and working in Iraq, as well as those who seek to enter. No details were offered by parliamentary spokespeople. It is also not understood how the measures will affect cooperation in the ongoing battle against Isis. Around 5,000 U.S. troops are currently deployed in the country to assist Iraqi forces in the fight against the jihadi militants. The vote follows Sunday's recommendation from the Baghdad's government's foreign affairs committee to take action. “Iraq is in the frontline of the war of terrorism... and it is unfair that the Iraqis are treated in this way,” the committee said in a statement. Iraq is among the seven countries affected by the executive order on immigration signed into law by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. Among other measures, the new legislation temporarily suspends the U.S.’ refugee resettlement programme, and bars even valid visa-holding citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan and Yemen from entering the country for 90 days. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has not yet reacted to the ban. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |