BAGHDAD, Iraq - The newly sworn-in members of Iraq (news - web sites)'s 275-seat National Assembly failed to elect a speaker, set a date to reconvene or even nominate a president, but they did celebrate the enormous obstacles Iraq has overcome.

Many of the new deputies wore traditional robes trimmed in gold, and mingled with austere Shiite clerics in black robes and turbans during their swearing-in on Wednesday. Men thought to be pegged for government jobs mostly wore tan or gray suits, while nearly all the 85 women lawmakers wore headscarves.

"This day marks a new birth for all Iraqis. It marks the birth of the parliament," said Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the Shiite politician expected to be Iraq's next prime minister.

 
yahoonews.com