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Iraq's deadlocked communities appear no closer to
agreeing a new constitution with just hours
remaining until the deadline for its completion.
Officials are being forced to discuss a further
delay, or even the dramatic option of dissolving
parliament.
Shia, Sunni and Kurdish teams have been unable to
agree on key issues including federalism, oil and
the role of Islam.
An original deadline last week was shifted to
midnight this Monday (2000 GMT) when no agreement
was reached.
"If the text is not handed to the national assembly
by the [new] deadline, one choice is to task for
another one-week extension," the prime minister's
spokesman, Leith Kubba, told reporters.
"Or... the national assembly would be dissolved and
the government becomes a caretaker government."
Correspondents say there appears to be little
appetite for fresh elections, so an extension
appears the more likely outcome if the deadline is
not met for the second time.
The United States has led the way in urging the
completion of the constitution, seeing it as a step
towards stabilising Iraq.
But as the wrangling continues, a leading Sunni
member of the committee accused the US of applying
too much pressure.
"The Americans want the constitution to be submitted
on the deadline, but Iraqis know that it is not
ready," said Saleh Mutlak.
Officials say the communities have edged closer on
some issues, but not close enough to come up with a
draft form of words for the constitution.
"Differences have narrowed... and everyone is
determined to reach an agreement which is essential
for the future of Iraq," Mr Kubba said.
The Sunni contingent remains strongly opposed to
allowing greater autonomy for the Kurdish north and
Shia south, fearing its share of revenues from those
oil-rich regions could eventually be compromised.
A draft constitution agreed by the committee would
be put to a referendum due in October.
If it was approved, fresh elections would follow to
elect a fully-mandated parliament under its terms,
probably in December.
www.bbc.co.uk
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