The Iraqi Council of Representatives decided on Monday to adopt the recitation of the national anthem as a replacement for the traditional alert bell used to announce the start of sessions and call members to the main hall.

It was stated that the Presidency of the Council directed that the national anthem be used as the signal to alert parliament members to head to the session hall instead of the previously used bell.

He added that the national anthem is broadcast through speakers inside the parliament building to inform members of the start or resumption of a session and to invite them to enter the hall.

He explained that this procedure will be applied shortly before sessions begin, with the playing of the national anthem serving as the official signal for attendance.