Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi parliament probably will postpone the voting on a new speaker over persisting disputes about the candidate among parliamentary political blocs, the state-run al-Sabah newspaper said Saturday.

    "The final date for voting over the new speaker may delay for two more days to give more time for a common agreement among political blocs over the new speaker's personality," an anonymous source in the parliament was quoted as saying.

    The voting by the lawmakers on a new speaker would be by secret ballot, the paper said.

    The Iraqi parliament was scheduled to vote on a new parliament leader to replace the former speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni Arab politician who was forced to resign last month.

    Last week, the parliament decided to delay the voting on Ayad al-Samaraie, the candidate of the Sunni Arab Accordance Front, an official in the parliament told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

    The postponement was decided in order to give enough time for the parliamentary blocs to solve their differences over the name of the new speaker, the official said.

    In Iraq, the speaker post is usually goes for Sunni Arabs, according to the country's sectarian-based political system.

    The resignation of Mashhadani sparked bitter infighting among Sunni politicians, which led two political movement to walkout from the major Sunni Accordance bloc before crucial provincial elections due to be held at the end of January.

    The parliament dispute would also paralyze the parliament, preventing it from passing any legislation until a new speaker is chosen.

    Last month, Mashhadani announced resignation at a special parliament session, which was accepted by the majority of the parliament members.

    Mashhadani, a Sunni, took office in 2006. His feisty character invited criticism among lawmakers.