Iraq's parliament re-elects President Talabani

BAGHDAD, Apr 22 (Reuters) Iraq's parliament elected incumbent President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, for a second term today as politicians began putting together a national unity government after four months of political deadlock.

Talabani, who has spent most of his life fighting for the cause of the Kurds in northern Iraq, is the first non-Arab president of an Arab country.

''This is the new Iraq. The new Iraq is an Iraq for all,'' Talabani told the parliament in a brief acceptance speech.

''Iraqi unity is sacred for all, so we should all work to reinforce this national unity.'' Parliament, elected in December elections, convened today for a session that is expected to eventually put in place a government of national unity, bringing together Shi'ite, Sunni Arabs and Kurds.

Shi'ite-Sunni bloodshed has soared since the bombing of an important Shi'ite shrine in February.

The violence has killed hundreds, driven more than 65,000 from their homes and stoked fears the country could slide into an all-out sectarian civil war.

REUTERS SRS PM2012