Differences Split Iraq Governing Council

[Barrett808]

Differences Split Iraq Governing Council
By LEE KEATH, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi leaders made a last-ditch attempt to agree on an interim constitution Friday, but major issues, including the shape of the presidency and the role of Islam, were still up in the air a day before the U.S.-set deadline for finishing.

The interim constitution is supposed to serve as the foundation of the Iraqi government until a permanent charter can be completed next year. It will be the basis of the legal system after the U.S.-led coalition returns sovereignty to the Iraqis on June 30.

Members of the drafting committee met late in the evening in a bid to meet the Saturday deadline. The top U.S. administrator in Iraq, L. Paul Bremer, must approve the final version.

"We hope to have it done and make it public tomorrow," Salama al-Tamimi, an adviser to Governing Council member Mouwafak al-Rubaie, said Friday.

But council member Mahmoud Othman said it was likely they will need more time.

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