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Iraqi Parliament Elects Speaker after Weeks of Deadlock
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=CA0940:2AB91D3

Industry Minister Hajim al-Hassani, a Sunni Arab, to head parliament





Parliament speaker Hajim al-Hassani, center, with deputies
Hussain al-Shahristani, and Kurdish leader Aref Taifour, rightIraqi
lawmakers have chosen a parliament speaker, ending a deadlock that has
stalled the formation of a new government nine weeks after the
country's historic election.

After intense negotiations, lawmakers Sunday elected Industry Minister
Hajim al-Hassani, a Sunni Arab, to head parliament. His deputies are
former nuclear scientist Hussain al-Shahristani, a Shiite, and Kurdish
leader Aref Taifour, who were also elected today.

Lawmakers had also hoped to name a new president. But officials say
that will be put off until later this week.

The delayed decision on a speaker is a big step toward repairing the
tattered image of the newly elected National Assembly, which bickered
for days over who would take the post.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.


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