Historic First Session of Iraqi Assembly Opens

From Sify.com:

Iraq's nascent democracy entered a new phase on Wednesday with the opening of a new 275-member national assembly but politicians failed to form a unity government ahead of the historic session.
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In the gathering, which was largely ceremonial amid the reigning political stalemate, leaders staked their positions in what amounted to the opening bell in a debate among Islamists, secular Iraqis, Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis on their main task of writing a permanent constitution.

Outgoing prime minister Iyad Allawi, dressed in a grey suit, strode to the podium as he completed the mission handed him last June when he was assigned the task of steering Iraq to its first free elections in half-a-century.

"Dear brothers and sisters, we have great duties to face and stand up to, much honourable Iraqis blood has been shed to attain these goals," he said, flanked by six red, white and black Iraqi national flags, and a table of white flowers.

"One of the most important task is the inclusion of all the Iraqi people into the political process and in the government establishment and we should also keep our eyes on the unity of the state of Iraq in achieving these goals."

Of course, most media outlets, and quite frankly most liberals, would rather talk about friendly fire incidents and explosions. This is a historic moment for the Iraqi people and their new government.