Protesters chant slogans calling for governmental reforms during a demonstration in Basra, 340 miles (550 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, April 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani) (The Associated Press)
BAGHDAD – Iraqi lawmakers have gathered at parliament in defiance of the speaker, saying they have enough votes to replace him after he postponed a session.
The lawmakers were gathering Saturday in hopes of holding another vote, after an earlier attempt on Thursday failed because of a lack of quorum.
Parliamentary spokesman Imad al-Khafaji said an official session Saturday had been postponed for "security reasons."
The lawmakers are demanding the ouster of Speaker Selim al-Jabouri and other top officials, accusing them of failing to combat corruption or reform a political system steeped in patronage.
Earlier this week legislators held a multi-day sit-in in parliament calling for all of the country's top political leadership to step down, including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.