Iraq parliament to hold next session on April 17

BAGHDAD, Apr 12 (Reuters) Iraq's parliament, which has to approve any new prime minister, will hold its next session on Monday, the acting speaker said.

''I spoke to the heads of all the political blocs and I sensed a true intent from all to push the political process forward,'' said Adnan Pachachi, adding that the purpose of the session would be to hold a discussion between the political powers on forming a national unity government.

The announcement came as Iraq's Shi'ite Alliance, which has the biggest bloc in parliament, was seeking ways to drop Ibrahim al-Jaafari as its nomination for prime minister without splitting itself apart.

Asked if a political deadlock over a prime minister would have to be brought to parliament, Pachachi said: ''From now until the 17th of this month, we believe there will be an agreement on some of the problems.'' Before any name can be put to a parliamentary vote, the speaker of the house and his two deputies must be elected, followed by a vote for a three-man presidential council, which then has to unanimously choose a prime minister.

Then the prime minister has one month to name his cabinet and put it to parliament for approval.

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