Iraq parliament elects Sunni Islamist as speaker

BAGHDAD, Apr 22 (Reuters) Iraq's parliament elected Arab Sunni Islamist Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its speaker today as politicians began putting together a government after a four-month deadlock.

Mashhadani, a former medical officer in Saddam Hussein's army who was imprisoned by the former leader for joining outlawed Islamist groups, is a member of the largest Sunni alliance.

REUTERS SRS HT1825