PENANG, Feb 15 (Bernama) -- Iraq, scouting for a new constitution model to rebuild the war-torn nation, may adopt Malaysia's constitution, Iraq's Constitution Review Committee chairman Sheikh Humam Hammoudi said last night.

He said the committee found Malaysia's constitution to be among the best models.

"Iraq wants to rebuild the nation despite the presence of foreign forces in the country to regain its sovereignty.

"Iraq is now moving towards an era of striving for freedom, democracy and good leadership after half a century of dictatorship.

"The presence of foreign troops has affected Iraq's sovereignty to a certain extent," he said at a dinner hosted by the state government for 16 Iraq members of parliament and United Nations officials.

Sheikh Hammoudi said Iraq was trying to emulate a multi-racial leadership system by appointing its president from the Kurdish ethnic group, the prime minister from Syiah and speaker from the Sunni group.

"Our trip to Malaysia is an eye-opener as to how Malaysia's multi-racial population live and work together in unity," he said.

The delegation led by Sheikh Hammoudi was in Kuala Lumpur before coming here. They will also visit Perak and Melaka before leaving for home on Feb 20.

Iraq's new parliament was sworn in recently with parties still deadlocked over the next government and the country under the shadow of a feared civil war.

Earlier, Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon gave a power-point presentation on the state's development from 1970 until now, the state government's structure and the state's economic status.

State Islamic Religious Council president Shabudin Yahaya also briefed the delegation on the council's role and functions.