Iraqi politicians began horse-trading Sunday over the formation of a cabinet, but hopes for a quick resolution were dampened on news Nuri al-Maliki would not be named premier-designate for several days.
The talks came after a power-sharing pact between Iraq's divided political factions put an end to months of impasse in which it shattered the world record for the longest period without a new government following elections.
"They will start today, the real negotiations with other political blocs," Kamal al-Saidi, an MP from Maliki's State of Law coalition, told AFP.
Saidi said the National Alliance, the pan-Shiite grouping of which State of Law is the largest component, had formed a committee to consider which cabinet posts it wanted, and to hold talks with other parties.
Newly re-elected President Jalal Talabani was not expected to officially ask Maliki to form a cabinet until Thursday, a parliamentary official said, so as to give the incumbent prime minister more time to negotiate ministerial posts.
Under Iraq's constitution, Talabani has 15 days to appoint a prime minister following his selection by MPs on November 11. He had earlier been expected to name Maliki as premier on Sunday.
Once selected, Maliki would have 30 days to form a government. "Jalal Talabani decided to nominate Maliki as prime minister on Thursday, one day before the official limit," the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"That is to give him the maximum amount of time to form the government, which is a very difficult task." Meanwhile, lawmakers held just the fourth session of parliament since March elections and the first since the conclusion of the five-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, focusing on parliamentary rules and procedures, he added.