BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi parliament chose Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani as the country's new interim president today, reaching out to a long-repressed minority and bringing the country closer to its first democratically elected government in 50 years.

Ousted members of the former regime - including toppled leader Saddam Hussein - were to watch the announcement on televisions in their prison cells, Iraqi officials said. It wasn't clear if they would watch it live or on a tape.

Adel Abdul-Mahdi, a Shiite, and interim President Ghazi al-Yawer, a Sunni Arab, were chosen as Talabani's two vice presidents. After weeks of at times tense negotiations, the three candidates received 227 votes. Thirty ballots were left blank.

The announcement of the vote drew applause, and many lawmakers crowded around Talabani to congratulate him. In the Kurdish north, which had led uprisings against Saddam, crowds danced in the streets, celebrating.

Talabani was expected to be sworn in to his post, which is largely ceremonial, on Thursday, then name Shiite leader Ibrahim al-Jaafari prime minister, clearing the way for talks on a new constitution that must be completed by Aug. 15.

Speaking after his election, Talabani called on neighboring countries to help prevent foreign insurgents from crossing into Iraq. He also made a gesture toward those who side with the insurgency.

"As for the Iraqis who are carrying weapons out of patriotic and anti-occupation motives, those people are our brothers and it is possible to talk with them and to reach a solution," Talabani said.

He added that his government would work to provide security so that U.S.-led coalition forces "could return home after the completion of building (Iraqi) armed forces that are capable of finishing off terrorism."

Aside from electing the prime minister, the president's post is largely ceremonial. Talabani and his two vice presidents - known collectively as the presidential council - are supposed to "represent the sovereignty of Iraq and oversee the higher affairs of the country," according to the interim constitution.

Before the session began, Hussain al-Shahristani of the Shiite-led United Iraqi Alliance said the choice of Talabani reflected efforts to represent the nation's diverse ethnic and religious groups in the new leadership.