The US President, George W Bush, has welcomed the opening of Iraq's new 275-member national assembly, describing it as ‘a hopeful moment’ in the country's evolution towards democracy.
The first session of the new parliament ended this morning with no vote to elect a new government for the country.
The Iraqi National Assembly should agree by a two-thirds majority on a President and two Vice Presidents, who will in turn appoint a government.
Efforts have been under way to form a government of national unity comprising Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as Kurdish politicians.
The Kurdish group, which with 77 seats is the second largest in the parliament, has predicted a deal will be reached within a few days.
The parliament was elected more than six weeks ago in Iraq's first democratic vote for 50 years.
Today's meeting, which took place under heavy security, was largely a ceremonial occasion.
Shortly before the opening ceremony, insurgents fired a rocket or mortar barrage into the so-called Green Zone compound that houses the parliament. No-one was reported injured.
Elsewhere in Baghdad, a weekly newspaper was targeted by bombers. The Baghdad Mirror, edited by Iraqis, is the capital's only English-language weekly.
Italy to start troop withdrawal
Separately, the United States has rejected suggestions that a decision by Italy to start withdrawing its troops from Iraq next September is linked to the fatal shooting of Nicola Capari.
The Italian intelligence agent was killed by US troops' fire as he escorted the rescued Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena to Baghdad Airport earlier this month.
The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, said that a complete withdrawal of his country's 3,000-strong force would depend on the capacity of the Iraqi government to provide adequate security.
