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Iraqi president Talabani reelected, names al-Maliki premier+(Japan Economic Newswire Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)BAGHDAD, April 22_(Kyodo) _ Iraq's parliament on Saturday reelected President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, who named Jawad al-Maliki, a Shiite, as prime minister. Al-Maliki, 55, is expected to soon begin compiling a new Cabinet. Known as an outspoken defender of the Shiite stance, he spent years in exile in Syria during Saddam Hussein's rule. Iraq's governing Shiite alliance nominated al-Maliki Friday as prime minister to replace Ibrahim al-Jaafari, prime minister of Iraq's transitional government. Parliament selected top leadership positions Friday, including the president, starting the process of forming a national unity government representing Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. |