BAGHDAD -- Arab Sunni factions will meet in Baghdad on January 10 to nominate a replacement for Iraqi parliament speaker Mahmud al-Mashhadani, who resigned following protests over his temper and offensive language.
The speaker post is reserved for Sunni Arabs, and the new parliament head will be chosen on January 11.
Al-Mashhadani reportedly called suicide bombers who kill Americans "heroes."
Abdul-Karim al-Samarrae, a leading member of the Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) and deputy chairman of parliament's Defense and Security Committee, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq that all factions affiliated with the IAF will nominate a candidate for speaker, one of whom will be selected by consensus or voted in.
Al-Samarrae added that the same procedure was followed when al-Mashhadani was named speaker in April 2006.
The IAF is the main Sunni bloc in parliament with 33 seats.
The speaker post is reserved for Sunni Arabs, and the new parliament head will be chosen on January 11.
Al-Mashhadani reportedly called suicide bombers who kill Americans "heroes."
Abdul-Karim al-Samarrae, a leading member of the Iraqi Accordance Front (IAF) and deputy chairman of parliament's Defense and Security Committee, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq that all factions affiliated with the IAF will nominate a candidate for speaker, one of whom will be selected by consensus or voted in.
Al-Samarrae added that the same procedure was followed when al-Mashhadani was named speaker in April 2006.
The IAF is the main Sunni bloc in parliament with 33 seats.