Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 14, 2009

Iraqi President Not Seeking Re-election
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=22DA2CA:A6F02AD83191E16082DB8366EE108C882E7CA1C1B166B639&
 
Jalal Talabani's term expires at end of year; he had heart surgery in US
last year 
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (file photo)Iraqi President Jalal
Talabani says in a statement he does not intend
to seek re-election when his term expires at the end of the year. But
the Kurdish leader says he will remain active in politics. The
75-year-old Talabani has been president since 2005. He had heart
surgery in the United States last year. Officials say he wants to take
a rest. Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, holds most of the power
in the country. Parliament
chooses the president and two vice-presidents. Their terms end when a
new parliament is elected at the end of this year.


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