This is an entry from: Live Blog: The struggle for Iraq
Maliki granted “unlimited powers” by cabinet
14 June 2014 10:59 BST
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has announced that the cabinet has granted him “unlimited powers” to allow him to combat the crisis crippling Iraq, “a sacred country that cannot be defiled by ISIL gangs.”
In a statement released on his website late on Friday, Maliki spoke of the “unified position” of politicians, as well as the army and police forces.
Parliament on Thursday met to discuss imposing a state of emmergency but Maliki failed to gain the mandate after only 128 out of 325 Iraqi MPs showed up for the special session.