Iraq parliament elects speaker as Tikrit push falters

Iraq's sharply divided parliament has elected a speaker in a step forward in the delayed government formation process, while a renewed push by Iraqi forces to recapture Tikrit from militants ended in retreat.

World powers and Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, had piled pressure on MPs to set aside their differences in the face of a jihadist-led offensive that has overrun swathes of territory north and west of Baghdad.

After two fruitless sessions earlier this month, MPs elected Salim al-Juburi as speaker, a post traditionally held by a Sunni Arab that must be filled before the process of forming a government can go ahead.

U.S. officials including Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry congratulated Iraqi leaders and urged a rapid follow-up.

Biden called Juburi and the pair "agreed on the importance of acting quickly, consistent with constitutional timelines, to form a new government capable of uniting Iraqi communities in the fight against" the jihadist militants, the White House said.

Kerry called Juburi's election "the first step in the critical process of forming a new government" representative of all Iraqis.

It was not immediately clear however if Juburi's election was part of a package deal also involving the posts of president and prime minister.  Lawmakers must now elect a president, who will then give the biggest bloc the first chance to form a government.

In a sign of possible divisions within the dominant Shiite alliance, two rival candidates stood for the post of first deputy speaker.

Juburi announced in televised remarks that candidacies for president must be submitted within three days, and said parliament will next meet on July...