Iraqi lawmakers demand the expulsion of the US ambassador

Members of the Iraqi parliament have called for the US ambassador to be expelled from the country after Washington criticized an amended Iraqi law that criminalizes same-sex marriage.

A group of 61 Iraqi lawmakers signed a petition addressed to the country's Foreign Ministry demanding the expulsion of Mrs. Alina Romanowski and replacing her with a new envoy, according to a Sunday report by al-Ahd News.

Lawmakers said the US had clearly interfered in Iraq's internal affairs, criticizing parliamentary legislation passed on Saturday that aims to uphold Iraq's religious values ​​against same-sex sex.

The petition said Iraq would not accept interference from the US and other Western embassies in Iraq, while asking the Iraqi judiciary to enforce the law without succumbing to pressure.

Romanowski on Saturday reposted a statement from the US State Department that had criticized Iraq's Council of Representatives (Parliament) for passing an amendment to the Anti-Prostitution and Homosexuality Law.

The amended law imposes a maximum of 15 years in prison for those involved in same-sex marriages.