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| New Iraq parliament adjourns without choosing new speaker amid Isis onslaught | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The first session of Iraq's newly elected parliament has adjournedwithout choosing a new speaker in the first step towards a new unity government. | |
| "This session is adjourned, and it will be held next week in the event of an agreement," Mehdi al-Hafidh told lawmakers. | |
| World leaders and senior clerics have urged Iraq's fractious politicians to unite in the face of the militant onslaught, which has killed more than 2,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands and polarised the country's Shia, Sunni and Kurdish populations. | World leaders and senior clerics have urged Iraq's fractious politicians to unite in the face of the militant onslaught, which has killed more than 2,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands and polarised the country's Shia, Sunni and Kurdish populations. |
| Iraq has appealed for US air strikes in the face of the offensive and has bought more than a dozen Russian warplanes to bolster its fledgling air force as it takes the fight to militants holding a string of towns and cities. | Iraq has appealed for US air strikes in the face of the offensive and has bought more than a dozen Russian warplanes to bolster its fledgling air force as it takes the fight to militants holding a string of towns and cities. |
| Washington, which further bolstered security at its embassy on Monday, has so far not acceded to the request and has said that planned deliveries of F-16 fighter jets could be delayed. | Washington, which further bolstered security at its embassy on Monday, has so far not acceded to the request and has said that planned deliveries of F-16 fighter jets could be delayed. |
| Iraq's Shia premier has been criticised by his domestic opponents for being sectarian, leading to resentment among the minority Sunni population. | Iraq's Shia premier has been criticised by his domestic opponents for being sectarian, leading to resentment among the minority Sunni population. |
| The offensive, which Iraq's security forces have struggled to hold back, has undermined Maliki's case for re-election after April's poll initially left him in the driver's seat, analysts say. | The offensive, which Iraq's security forces have struggled to hold back, has undermined Maliki's case for re-election after April's poll initially left him in the driver's seat, analysts say. |
| "This has become a much more competitive race for the premiership position," said Ayham Kamel of the Eurasia Group consultancy. | "This has become a much more competitive race for the premiership position," said Ayham Kamel of the Eurasia Group consultancy. |
| He echoed the expectations of several MPs who have told AFP that, despite pressure from western countries and powerful religious leaders to urgently form a unity government, a new cabinet was unlikely to be in place for several weeks. | |
| "The broad direction here is to be more inclusive, at least when it comes to the Sunni community, and figure out a power-sharing deal," Kamel added. | "The broad direction here is to be more inclusive, at least when it comes to the Sunni community, and figure out a power-sharing deal," Kamel added. |
| Though the vast majority of Iraq's Sunni Arab minority do not actively support militants, analysts say their anger over alleged mistreatment by the Shia-led authorities means they are less likely to cooperate with the security forces. | Though the vast majority of Iraq's Sunni Arab minority do not actively support militants, analysts say their anger over alleged mistreatment by the Shia-led authorities means they are less likely to cooperate with the security forces. |
| Kamel noted, however, that any military successes on the ground could boost Maliki's chances, with thousands of troops taking part in an ambitious operation aimed at retaking executed dictator Saddam Hussein's hometown, Tikrit, which fell on 11 June. | |
| Iraqi forces initially wilted in the face of the onslaught but have since performed more capably, with security officials claiming apparent progress in recapturing the city. | Iraqi forces initially wilted in the face of the onslaught but have since performed more capably, with security officials claiming apparent progress in recapturing the city. |
| A security source based near the city said reinforcements arrived with tanks and artillery on Monday, with an army officer saying the Iraqi military controlled parts of the outskirts of the city. | A security source based near the city said reinforcements arrived with tanks and artillery on Monday, with an army officer saying the Iraqi military controlled parts of the outskirts of the city. |
| Iraqi forces have suffered heavy casualties in recent weeks, with nearly 900 security personnel among the 2,400 people who died in June, the highest such figure in years, according to the UN mission in Iraq. | Iraqi forces have suffered heavy casualties in recent weeks, with nearly 900 security personnel among the 2,400 people who died in June, the highest such figure in years, according to the UN mission in Iraq. |
| The security forces are battling militants led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant jihadist group (Isis), which on Sunday declared a caliphate – an Islamic form of government last seen under the Ottoman empire, and ordered Muslims worldwide to pledge allegiance to their chief, in a bid to extend their authority. | The security forces are battling militants led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant jihadist group (Isis), which on Sunday declared a caliphate – an Islamic form of government last seen under the Ottoman empire, and ordered Muslims worldwide to pledge allegiance to their chief, in a bid to extend their authority. |
| In an audio recording distributed online, the group declared its chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "the caliph" and "leader for Muslims everywhere". Henceforth, the group said, he was to be known as "Caliph Ibrahim" – a reference to his real name. | In an audio recording distributed online, the group declared its chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi "the caliph" and "leader for Muslims everywhere". Henceforth, the group said, he was to be known as "Caliph Ibrahim" – a reference to his real name. |
| Though the move may not have immediate significant impact on the ground – with Washington and other Syrian rebel groups dismissing its importance – it is an indicator of the group's confidence and marks a move against al-Qaida, from which it broke away, in particular. | Though the move may not have immediate significant impact on the ground – with Washington and other Syrian rebel groups dismissing its importance – it is an indicator of the group's confidence and marks a move against al-Qaida, from which it broke away, in particular. |
| The group is known for its brutality, summarily executing its opponents and this week crucifying rival rebels in Syria. | The group is known for its brutality, summarily executing its opponents and this week crucifying rival rebels in Syria. |
| President Barack Obama has deployed 200 additional troops to Baghdad to protect Washington's embassy, as well as the airport, bringing to 800 the overall number of American soldiers and embassy security forces. | President Barack Obama has deployed 200 additional troops to Baghdad to protect Washington's embassy, as well as the airport, bringing to 800 the overall number of American soldiers and embassy security forces. |
| The Iraq offensive has led international aid organisations to call for the establishment of humanitarian corridors, with 1.2 million Iraqis having fled their homes this year as a result of unrest. | The Iraq offensive has led international aid organisations to call for the establishment of humanitarian corridors, with 1.2 million Iraqis having fled their homes this year as a result of unrest. |