العربي الديمقراطي The Latest From The Arab World
مقالات مشابهة
On Tuesday, the sharply-divided Iraqi parliament elected its speaker and moved that much closer to forming a new government, which has already been delayed for a while.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric, and several world powers, had pressured Iraqi MPs to set their differences aside and work together as they face a militant offensive which has overrun federal forces to the west and north of Baghdad.
Iraqi lawmakers failed to elect a speaker in the earlier sessions this month before picking Salim al-Juburi as speaker on Tuesday. The post, which must be filled before a government can be formed, is usually given to a Sunni Arab. It was not clear if his selection was part of a package deal which, like in the past, involved the posts of Prime Minister and President, but the decision suggests that an agreement could have been reached.
In a sign of divisions within the Shi’ite political bloc, to which Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki belongs, two candidates stood for the post of first deputy speaker. Lawmakers must now decide on a President.
Earlier in the day, security forces attacked Tikrit, which had fallen to insurgents, aiming to revitalize its counter-attack that began over two weeks ago but got bogged down near the city. According to local sources, they initially gained control of the parts of the city to the south, but were later forced to pull out after heavy fighting.
They had reportedly withdrawn from the city to avoid fighting in the night, but would definitely return later. Any gains made in the city, however, are likely to be counteracted by insurgents moving back in.
Security forces and tribesmen also clashed with insurgents in Dhuliyah, about 80 kilometers to the north of Baghdad. The army was reportedly leading the conflict in the north while tribesman confronted the insurgents in the south. According to strategists, the town could be used by insurgents to isolate the city of Samarra and stage attacks on major military bases which could compromise the defense of Baghdad.