Iraq's parliament holds session led by first deputy speaker

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Council of Representatives convened a new session on Tuesday under the chairmanship of First Deputy Speaker Adnan Finjan, who opened the sitting and guided lawmakers into the agenda items. The session proceeded despite the absence of the speaker of parliament, underscoring the chamber's established procedure for continuing legislative work when the presiding officer is unavailable. Parliamentary sources said lawmakers would take up draft legislation and pending files during the sitting. Members of parliament were present in the general assembly hall from the opening of the session. The sources did not specify which bills or dossiers were scheduled for discussion. No further details on the session's agenda or outcomes were immediately available.