A brief session of Iraq’s newly elected parliament yesterday made no progress towards forming a new government to tackle the crisis gripping the country.

Squabbling factions have failed to agree on who to nominate for the posts of speaker, president and prime minister — even as Islamist group the Islamic State (Isis) has conquered much of northern Iraq.

There was also contention over whether to choose the posts individually or as a package deal, as has been the case in the past.

Under an informal agreement after the 2003 US-led invasion, the speaker’s chair goes to a Sunni, the presidency to a Kurd and the prime ministry to a Shi’ite.

Acting speaker Mahdi al-Hafidh was forced to adjourn the brief meeting, “due to the absence of any agreement on the names of the nominees for the three posts.”

Incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has come under pressure to step down after being accused of alienating Sunnis.