Iraq MPs fail again as militants gain ground

Iraq's fractious parliament met today and again failed to make any progress toward forming a new government, as militants gained ground north of Baghdad in a renewed drive.
World powers and Iraq's top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani have piled pressure on MPs to put aside their differences, with the country facing a major jihadist-led onslaught that has overrun chunks of five provinces.
But acting parliament speaker Mahdi Hafez announced at today's session that "no type of agreement was reached... between the various blocs", and the session was adjourned to Tuesday.
The latest stalemate came despite the announcement late yesterday of an agreement among Sunni Arab lawmakers on a candidate for speaker, a post traditionally held by the minority group that must be filled before the government formation process can progress.

A statement from parliament's United for Change Sunni grouping said Dr Salim al-Juburi had been selected, but went on to pledge not to accept incumbent premier Nuri al-Maliki for a third term.
Former parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi called today for a vote on Juburi, but Hafez rejected this, saying not all blocs were in agreement, despite there being more than enough MPs present to hold a vote.

The UN's Iraq envoy Nickolay Mladenov had warned that "failing to move forward on electing a new speaker, a new president and a new government risks plunging the country into chaos".
"It will only serve the interests of those who seek to divide the people of Iraq and destroy their chances for peace and prosperity."

Today's session was the second time parliament has completely failed to make progress, with a July 1 meeting breaking down when MPs traded barbs and enough failed to return after a break that the legislature was without a quorum.
As the highly paid parliamentarians continue to squabble, militants launched a renewed push, seizing two towns northeast of Baghdad, while major attacks west of the capital were stymied by security forces and allied tribesmen.