Kadhim Mohammed, an advisor in the ministry of trade, said the decision to stop registering companies - which will prevent any new Turkish firms opening in Iraq, but should not affect existing ones - had "nothing to do with politics".

MSN: Iraq stops registering Turkish firms amid row over Hashemi

He has said he wants nothing more to do with front-bench politics and will look outside Parliament for employment.

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But it has impressed New Yorkers accustomed to politics-as-usual and to do-nothing mayors enmeshed in party machines.

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He said recent trouble had nothing to do with politics or sectarianism, but was part of "a growing mafia sub-culture".

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