Iraq's new parliament has elected Sunni Arab candidate Hajim al-Hasani as speaker, ending a political row over who will get the post and making a first step towards forming a government.

Earlier on Sunday, a senior Kurdish official involved in the negotiations said al-Hasani, who is currently the industry minister, would be named speaker. His deputies will be Shia politician Husain al-Shahristani and Kurdish lawmaker Arif Tayfur.

"Hasani is the agreed candidate," interim deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said. Asked if he was going to be speaker, al-Hasani replied: "Yes, God willing."

The official announcement was released later that day, as the 275 assembly members gathered for their third meeting since the election, amid growing frustration among many Iraqis that more progress has not been made since the 30 January vote.

Differences

The process of forming a government has been drawn out by sharp differences between the Shia alliance that won the election and the Kurds who came second, over who should get what in the next cabinet.

Parliament's last meeting on 29 March descended into chaos after politicians attacked their leaders for not reaching decisions more quickly. Live coverage of the event was cut.

While the naming of a speaker is one step towards ending Iraq's political deadlock, the parliament is not expected to go much further on Sunday.

Salih said it was unlikely to name a president and two deputies, a more important landmark in the government's formation, because of disagreements over names.

Political infighting

Once a president and deputies are approved by two-thirds of the assembly, the presidential council will have two weeks to name a prime minister, who will decide on a Cabinet.

All those positions are already being worked on, but it is involving intense bargaining and brinkmanship.

As well as differences over the role religion should play in Iraqi society and the issue of federalism in the divided country, the Shia and the Kurds, who came second in the ballot, are at odds over who should get which ministries.

Their stand-off threatens to derail the timetable for drawing up a new constitution, the next major stepping stone, which is due to be drafted by mid-August.

It is also incurring the wrath of Sunni Arabs who are demanding a role in the government despite their poor showing at the polls - only 17 of the 275 parliamentarians are Sunni Arabs, the result of most Sunnis boycotting the vote.

PHOTO CAPTION

Sunni Muslim MP Hajem al-Hassani casts his vote for Speaker and two deputies during a meeting of the National Assembly in Baghdad's Green Zone. (AFP)