IRAQ: Iraq's political leaders are due to resume marathon talks today to try to resolve outstanding disagreements over a new constitution just six days before the deadline.
Arab Sunnis are expected to meet members of the ruling Shia and Kurdish coalition at the Baghdad residence of President Jalal Talabani for what is being billed as the final stage of negotiations.
They have until the end of the week to agree a draft text which is to be presented to parliament for approval by August 15th, an ambitious timetable which the US and Britain hope will keep the political process on track.
Much has been agreed but profound and thorny issues such as federalism, the role of Islam and the status of the city of Kirkuk remain unresolved.
Mr Talabani, a Kurd, was bullish after hosting talks between Kurds and Shias on Sunday.
"After this meeting, we are going to have continuous meetings and I'm optimistic that we will reach, God willing, positive results."
Talks were due to resume yesterday but a sandstorm in Baghdad grounded aircraft and made driving dangerous, prompting a suspension until today. Negotiations will not stop until consensus is reached, a spokesman said.
Mahmud Othman, a member of the constitutional drafting committee, told news agency AFP that British and American diplomats were pushing hard for a deal. Washington at first kept a low profile and did not want to be seen as a puppeteer in what was supposed to be a showcase for Iraqi sovereignty. But as the deadline loomed, raising the possibility of a six-month delay, US diplomats intervened. - (Guardian service)