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Iraq MPs elect Massoum as president Iraq MPs elect Fouad Massoum as president
(35 minutes later)
Iraqi MPs have elected Kurdish politician Fouad Massoum as president, succeeding Jalal Talabani.Iraqi MPs have elected Kurdish politician Fouad Massoum as president, succeeding Jalal Talabani.
Mr Massoum, 76, is a founding member of Mr Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party.Mr Massoum, 76, is a founding member of Mr Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party.
Since 2003 Iraq's president has always been a Kurd, while the prime minister is a Shia and the parliamentary speaker drawn from the Sunni Arab bloc.Since 2003 Iraq's president has always been a Kurd, while the prime minister is a Shia and the parliamentary speaker drawn from the Sunni Arab bloc.
Iraq is facing a radical Sunni insurgency and is struggling to agree on a new coalition government.Iraq is facing a radical Sunni insurgency and is struggling to agree on a new coalition government.
The presidency is the second major government post to be filled, after Salim al-Jabouri was elected as parliament speaker last week.