BAGHDAD, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Iraqi Parliament by a majority vote passed a bill to alter temporarily the national flag amid Kurdish opposition to the current Saddam Hussein-era design.
The president of the autonomous Kurdish government in Iraq, Massoud Barzani, opposed the Saddam-era flag, which bears the phrase "Allahu Akbar" in the former leader's handwriting, and refused to display it over Kurdistan government buildings.
The Iraqi Parliament voted 110 to 55 to alter the script, leaving the phrase that translates into English as "God is great" as part of the flag design, the Xinhua news agency said Tuesday.
Three green stars representing the Baath platforms of unity, freedom and socialism are not included in the new design.
Kurdish authorities opposed the depiction of Saddam-era insignia because of his treatment of citizens in northern Iraq.
The new flag design maintains the current color scheme, but the proposed alterations expire in one year.
