Power-sharing deal on hold as Iraqi MPs fail to elect speaker

As the proceedings degenerated, the body's stand-in speaker expelled journalists from the hall, and the US-funded national broadcaster, Iraqiya, cut its live transmission to show a black-tie orchestra playing music.

"What are we going to tell the citizens who sacrificed their lives and cast ballots on January 30? What is the reason for this delay?" said Hussein al-Sadr, a Shia cleric and member of the prime minister Ayad Allawi's coalition.

Deputies said they would meet on Sunday for another attempt to elect a speaker and clear the way to name a president and two deputy presidents, who in turn will appoint a prime minister and cabinet.

Until then the interim government will continue, averting a power vacuum. However, the delays in forming an administration have drained some of the euphoria from a poll billed as a landmark in Middle East democracy.

In addition to quelling an insurgency and rebuilding a shattered economy, the government and parliament are supposed to draft a constitution by August. That deadline could slip by six months, some deputies said yesterday.

"You can say we are in a crisis," said Barham Salih, a leading member of the Kurdish alliance.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1448000,00.html