Iraqi parliament's security committee reviews Taji blast, ministry contracts

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, chaired by lawmaker Khalid Ubaydi, met on Sunday to review the ammunition depot explosion at Taji camp and contracts within the Ministry of Interior, the council's press office said. The committee held its first reading of an amendment proposal to the Civil Defense Law and prepared to forward it to the council's presidency. Members also discussed the final draft of the Internal Security Forces Service and Retirement Law and a second amendment to the Military Service and Retirement Law as part of efforts to complete their legislative process. The agenda included the circumstances of the Taci ammunition explosion, the findings of an official investigation and measures to secure the depot. The committee said the causes of the blast must be clarified and safety controls at hazardous materials depots strengthened. On the Interior Ministry contracts, the committee decided to carry out legal and financial reviews and initiate legal action against any violations identified by the investigation. It said it would continue work on the regulations aimed at increasing oversight of security institutions' performance.