Iraq’s parliament delays presidential vote again amid US pressure

Iraq’s parliament has again postponed the election of the country’s new president, state media reported on Sunday, amid intense political horse-trading and US pressure over the new prime minister.It was the second time parliament has delayed the presidential vote, which had first been due last week.A journalist in the parliament said the required quorum was not reached on Sunday.The vote was therefore delayed, according to the official INA press agency, which did not say whether a new date had been agreed.The parliament’s media office said the speaker will now meet the heads of party blocs to set a final date.By convention, a Shiite Muslim holds the powerful post of prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.The two main Kurdish parties have yet to settle on a presidential candidate, and the largest Shiite alliance – despite backing Nouri al-Maliki for next premier – faces US threats to end all support for Iraq if he takes up the post.