After what seemed like interminable delay, Iraqi politicians have agreed on the country's top leaders. The posts have been filled by representatives from all of Iraq's main religious and ethnic groups, creating as inclusive a national leadership as possible. The agreement hints that deals have also been made regarding the Cabinet, although the new prime minister has said that it will take time to form a government. Selection of the top leadership comes not a moment too soon, as the Iraqi people were becoming increasingly frustrated by the slow progress. Iraqis must take control of their country if they are to defeat the insurgents that strike almost daily. The creation of a government is another step toward that goal.

Negotiations landed Mr. Jalal Talabani in the presidency, making him the first Kurd to head a predominately Arab country. His Kurdistan Alliance won 75 of the new National Assembly's 275 seats. Since the president's powers are largely symbolic, Mr. Talabani's assumption of the presidency is not surprising.

The real power resides in the prime minister, and Mr. Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a Shiite, claimed that post. Shiites are the largest ethnic and religious group in Iraq. In the Jan. 30 elections, the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance, a bloc of parties, took 140 seats. Together with the Kurds, the two groups had the two-thirds majority needed to form a government.