Iraq parliament renews govt emergency powers

BAGHDAD, Oct 2 (Reuters) The Iraqi parliament renewed the emergency powers of the national unity government for a further 30 days today, after only a brief debate.

Some minority Sunni lawmakers spoke against the measure, which has been in force since 2004, saying some of the security forces could not be trusted. But speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni, declared the measure passed after a show of hands.

Some members demanded an exact count, but were overruled.

REUTERS LL PM1547