Iraqi Lawmakers Delay Vote on Electoral Law

An Iraqi parliament session aimed at resolving a deadlock on an electoral law required for general elections in January has ended without agreement.

Iraqi lawmakers had been expected to vote Saturday on the much-delayed law, but parliamentary officials say the proceeding was delayed until Sunday in hope of finding a solution acceptable to all political blocs.

Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi vetoed the proposed election law several days ago, saying he wants more representation for Iraqis living abroad, many of whom are Sunni Arabs. After the veto, Iraq's electoral commission halted general-election preparations.

Parliament has been considering whether the Sunni vice president had the legal right to scrap legislation presented to the presidency council.

Members of Iraq's electoral commission say the deadlock over the election law likely will delay the January election.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden discussed the Iraqi elections with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill by telephone Friday. The White House says Hill reported on efforts to ratify the election law so voting can go forward early next year.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.