Constitution anniversary

October 15, 2006

Some Baghdad residents feel that time is still needed for changes to come into force while others are pessimistic. Last week, the parliament approved a controversial law that will allow Iraq to be carved into a federation of autonomous regions, after Sunni Arabs and some Shi'ite Muslims stormed out of the session in protest. The bill passed the 275-member parliament by a vote of 141 to 0, despite a nearly successful attempt by opponents to prevent a quorum by walking out.