Accessibility links

Breaking News

Iraq's President Expects Constitution By August


8 April 2005 -- Iraq's new president, Jalal Talabani, said on Friday that lawmakers will meet a mid-August deadline for writing a constitution despite weeks of delay in forming a government.

Ten weeks after Iraq's 30 January elections, a new government has yet to be formed. But progress was made this week with Talabani becoming president and Shi'ite leader Ibrahim Ja'afari named prime minister.

Once a government is formed, writing a constitution is the next key political step on the road to new elections by end-2005.

The new constitution is meant to be ready by 15 August, although lawmakers are allowed to request a six-month delay.

But Talabani said that drafting the constitution "will be done on time."

(Reuters)

[For more on events in Iraq, see RFE/RL's dedicated The New Iraqwebpage.]

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG