IFP - The newly-elected speaker of the Iraqi legislature says he won�t tolerate efforts by anti-Iran groups to use Iraq�s soil to attack the Islamic Republic.

�We won�t accept [dealing] damages to Iran from the Iraqi soil. We should protect the country and our neighbours,� Mohammed al-Halbousi said in his first TV appearance after being elected as the Iraqi parliament speaker on Saturday.

The election of the Sunni lawmaker paved the way for the creation of a new government four months after the general election.

Halbousi is the former governor of Anbar province and was the nominee of the pro-Iran bloc inside parliament.

In a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Ali Larijani, Halbousi described the US sanctions on Iran as �unjust�.

Under an unofficial agreement among Iraqi politicians dating back to 2003, the prime minister position is reserved for Shiites, the president is a Kurd, and the parliament speaker a Sunni.

His election triggers a 90-day process that will eventually lead to a new government.