BAGHDAD -- Iraqi officials say the minister of defence has received a no-confidence vote from parliament after weeks of political wrangling over corruption allegations.
Lawmakers Sadiq al-Rikabi and Mohammed Saadoun from the powerful State of Law block said the minister had received 142 votes of no confidence in parliament Thursday, slightly more than the simple majority needed for the vote to pass.
Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi accused parliament speaker Salim al-Jabouri and other government officials and businessmen of trying to persuade him to secure specific contracts or reinstate employees fired due to corruption earlier this month.
The explosive allegations sparked investigations and weeks of political wrangling between al-Obeidi and al-Jabouri.
The move comes as Iraq's military is preparing an operation to retake the country's second largest city of Mosul from the Islamic State group after more than two years of militant rule.
