Iraq's parliament will convene next week to elect a new government following April's general election. President Jalal Talabani urged parliament to hold its first session next Tuesday to form a new government. Parliament is expected to elect a speaker and two deputies, and then within 30 days choose a new president.
The Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr has urged the formation of the new government to include different religious sects.
"First step is to stop targeting civilians and carrying out terrorist activities. Second, I call on the government to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi Sunni. And third is to form a new government with different religious sects. Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada Al-Sadr said.