Iraq’s parliament has voted unanimously to reject a United Nations resolution requiring the return of weapons inspectors in an extraordinary session of parliament today.

The assembly’s speaker, Saadun Hammadi, said the document was unacceptable and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.

The vote is symbolic but does not represent the country’s final response because the recommendation now goes to Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for decision.

Hussein has until Friday to make up his mind on the resolution, which demands Iraq submit a detailed list of its arms and allow inspectors complete access to all suspected weapons sites.

Arab officials who had gathered for an Arab League meeting in Cairo said they had received assurances from Iraq’s foreign minister and other Iraqi officials that the resolution would be endorsed by Hussein’s government.

Washington has made it clear it will attack Iraq for the slightest indication of non-cooperation.

France also warned yesterday that a rejection of the inspections would mean war.

We now go to Democracy Now! correspondent Jeremy Scahill in Baghdad who recently interviewed Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Saddoun Hammadi and Mohammed Adhami, a member of the Iraqi Parliament.

Guest:

• Jeremy Scahill, Democracy Now! correspondent in Baghdad.

Tape:

• Saddoun Hammadi, Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament.
• Mohammed Adhami, member of the Iraqi Parliament.

Related link:

• Iraq Journal