Iraqi parliament opens in absentia questioning of Investment Authority chief

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi parliament has begun an in absentia questioning of the head of the Iraqi Investment Authority during the second session of the first legislative year of the sixth electoral term. Speaker Hibet al-Halbusi opened the session and said the chamber would take up items on its agenda. The questioning of the Investment Authority chief was the main item on the agenda. Lawmakers decided to proceed in absentia after the official failed to attend the session. Parliamentary sources said the procedural and legal requirements for an in absentia hearing had been completed. The session is being held in the capital, Baghdad. The questioning reflects the legislature's focus on oversight of investment files and transparency issues during Iraq's current economic period.