Khaleej Times

Parliament in surprise vote to ban alcohol

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BAGHDAD — Iraq’s parliament on Saturday voted to ban the sale, import and production of alcohol, in a surprise move likely to anger some minorities but also to please influentia­l religious parties.

Proponents of the ban argue that it is justified by the constituti­on. But some opponents argue that it also violates the same constituti­on which guarantees the traditions of religious minorities.

According to an MP and a parliament official, the ban was a last-minute addition to a draft law on municipali­ties that caught the anti-ban camp flat-footed.

The law was also passed by MPs in Baghdad. —

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