AP , Baghdad,  14 June 2010  — Iraq’s new parliament has convened, more than three months after inconclusive national elections left the country in political limbo.

It’s the first tangible sign of progress since the March 7 vote, but the sides remain divided over the formation of a new government. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is battling to keep his job after the rival Sunni-backed Iraqiya list won the most votes in the nationwide balloting.

Al-Maliki and his chief rival Ayad Allawi, who heads the Iraqiya, have entered the chamber as the session began on Monday.