In a show of defiance towards the US, Iraq’s Parliament unanimously backed on Monday the nomination of President Saddam Hussein to run unopposed for another seven-year term in office. The 250-member chamber rubber-stamped last week’s decision by the ruling Revolutionary Command Council for Saddam, President since 1979, to seek another term in office at a referendum set for mid-October.The move comes at the height of a war of words between Baghdad and US with Washington pushing for a ‘‘regime change’’ in Iraq, which has the second largest oil reserves in the world behind Saudi Arabia. ‘‘The historic leadership of President Saddam Hussein will remain a thorn in the eyes of our enemies.and this march will continue until it is consolidated by victory, end of sanctions and driving back the aggression,’’ the Parliament said.‘‘Bush must know that when we choose Saddam Hussein, we choose our future,’’ MP Karim Hamza said. ‘‘The right for choosing the President belongs to the Iraqi people, not to his administration.’’
