Iraqi President Jalal Talabani says in a statement he does not intend
to seek re-election when his term expires at the end of the year.
But the Kurdish leader says he will remain active in politics.
The
75-year-old Talabani has been president since 2005. He had heart
surgery in the United States last year. Officials say he wants to take
a rest.
Iraq's prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, holds most of the power in the country.
Parliament
chooses the president and two vice presidents. Their terms end when a
new parliament is elected at the end of this year.
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