Iraqi president convenes new parliament for Jan. 9 – decree

President Barham Salih’s new decree paves way for lawmakers to put a new government in place. (AFP)

• Lawmakers will elect a parliamentary speaker and two deputies in their first session

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s new parliament will convene on Jan. 9, according to a decree issued on Thursday by President Barham Salih, preparing the way for lawmakers to put a new government in place.
Lawmakers will elect a parliamentary speaker and two deputies in their first session. They will later elect a new president who will task the leader of the largest bloc to form a government as prime minister.