Iraq's MPs postpone election of new speaker

IRAQ: Iraqi MPs on Monday decided to postpone the election of a new parliamentary speaker until after provincial polls scheduled at the end of the month, a parliamentary official said.

The vote would now take place on February 4, the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The decision to delay the election of the speaker until after the January 31 provincial vote on January 31 comes after weeks of political deadlock over a replacement for outspoken Mahmud Mashhadani, who quit as speaker on December 23.

Under Iraq's complex political arrangements, Sunni Arabs have the right to nominate the speaker but bitter infighting among Sunni groups has meant there has yet to be consensus on candidates.

Baghdad, Monday, AFP