Confusion over Iraq constitution

guardian: There was confusion today over the status of Iraq's draft constitution after rival sides gave opposite accounts of the document's readiness to be put to the country in a referendum in October.

Government spokesman Laith Kubba told reporters that a final version of the document - which was originally due to have been finalised by August 22 - had been completed and it would be approved tonight.

He said parliament did not need to formally meet to approve the deal because it had effectively been passed on Monday.

A Sunni member of the constitutional panel, however, said the process was still deadlocked.

"Laith Kubba has been saying that we solved the disputes for a month now, but so far we have not got anywhere," Hussein al-Falluja told Reuters. "If this constitution continues to include federalism it should be put in the bin and done again." Read more