DHAKA: Iraq’s parliament has elected Salim al-Jabouri as speaker, breaking weeks of political deadlock amid a jihadist-led Sunni rebellion in the north and west.

The main Sunni Arab bloc in the Council of Representatives had nominated the moderate Islamist for the position.

Despite the progress, it is not clear that politicians will be able to move speedily to the next steps of selecting a president and a prime minister.

Earlier, government forces launched an offensive to retake the city of Tikrit.

The defence ministry said troops had begun their assault at dawn against militants led by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis).

The initial fighting focused around the southern Shishin district of Saddam Hussein's home city, officers told the Reuters news agency.

Troops were also heading towards Tikrit’s hospital, which is on a strategic area of high ground, and the former presidential palaces, where Isis had been holding captives and running Islamic courts, they added.

Tikrit was captured on 11 June as part of a lightening offensive led by Isis that has seen the government lose control of large swathes of territory.

BDST: 1827 HRS, JUL 15, 2014