Iraqi parliament elects Haibat al-Halbousi from Sunni coalition as speaker

By Laith Al-jnaidi and Rania Abushamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Iraq’s new parliament elected Haibat al-Halbousi as the new speaker on Monday.

Halbousi, from the National Political Council, a coalition of Sunni parties, received 208 votes from among 309 lawmakers during its first session of the 329-seat parliament. His two rivals; Salem al-Issawi and Amer Abdul-Jabbar, won 66 and 9 votes respectively, while 26 votes were annulled.

The election paves the way for completing the remaining constitutional entitlements, namely the election of a president and the appointment of a new prime minister.

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid had earlier set Dec. as the date for the first session of the new parliament after the Nov. 11 legislative elections.

Members of parliament are responsible for electing the president and granting confidence to the government.

Traditionally, Iraq’s power-sharing system among dominant political forces allocates the post of prime minister to a Shiite, the presidency to a Kurd, and the speakership of parliament to a Sunni.