Interim Iraqi national council opened in Baghdad

Members of the Iraqi Interim national council ( Parliament) yesterday took their oath on the inaugural session which was held in Baghdad amid security measures in the surrounding of the headquarters of the place where the meeting was held.

The session was presided by the leader of the Kurdistani National Federation, Jalal al-Talibani, in his being the oldest.

Certain sources indicated that he might be chosen as the speaker of the of the interim council which is composed of 100 figures. They are 81 elected members and other 19 of the dissolved Interim governing council.

The council was elected in conclusion of the works of the Iraqi national congress which was held on August 15 through 18 in the presence of 1300 representatives from all parts of Iraq and boycott of effective political trends on the Iraqi political arena.

Among the responsibilities of the council is to approve the budget, following the implementation of law by the interim government, and work to facilitate the forthcoming elections. It has the right to cast votes at a two third majority against the governmental decrees within a 10-day grace period after it is approved in the Cabinet.

The council represents the ethnic and national diversity in Iraq. It includes 64 Arabs and 24 Kurds, 6 Turkmans and representatives for other minorities. One quarter of its members are women. Shiite Muslims have 45 seats for 44 for the Sunni.

During the inauguration session, explosions were heard in the surrounding of the headquarters of the council's meeting place in what is known as the "green zone" which includes the headquarters of the Iraqi government and the American embassy.

American military sources said that five mortars shelling fell at a barrier outside the "green zone" and this resulted in wounding at least one persons and a trembling in the building where members of the interim parliament are meeting.