Iraqi lawmakers to question PM Abadi over planned reforms

Iraq's parliament is holding a special session on Thursday to host Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and discuss the different reforms that he had put forward and the problems that hinder their implementation.

The session comes in conjunction with severe political differences that are plaguing the country due to disagreement among politicians on the legislation for the National Guard and General Amnesty laws, the dismissal of the President of the Republic's deputies, and the financial crisis that is hitting the country hard and threatening it with bankruptcy within a few months due to the depletion of the country's resources in the fight against Islamic State group (IS, formerly ISIS), the low oil prices and the worsening internal refugees crisis.

A statement by the Iraqi parliament that was received by al-Araby al-Jadeed said: "Parliament holds its twentieth session of the second legislative term on Thursday and the session includes on its agenda the hosting of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, as well as directing questions to the ministers of agriculture and water resources and to consider the membership of a number MPs."

The session will also ratify a number of international agreements between Iraq and other countries, according to the statement.

An Iraqi MP in the National Alliance told al-Araby al-Jadeed's Arabic service reporter, who is currently in the parliament building, that the meeting will be open and the prime minister will be asked questions about the obstacles to reforms and Iraq's security and financial situations.

"The situation is very critical and we are exposed to many challenges and problems, and the contrived problems by political parties and blocs do not serve anyone," the MP added, predicting a heated session today.

There is tight security in the vicinity of Parliament despite it being located inside the heavily fortified Green Zone.