Iraqi leaders asked to help with constitution as Aug15 deadline approaches

[ECH1969]

BAGHDAD (AP) - The head of the committee writing Iraq's constitution appealed Monday to the country's political leaders to help reach compromises on key issues so framers can finish the document by the Aug. 15 deadline.

Humam Hammoudi told parliament his 71-member committee can complete the document by the deadline only if the party and political leaders guiding the process can reach compromises such issues as the role of Islam in the legal code and details of federalism.

If the leaders, who are due to meet Friday, cannot agree, the unresolved issues will be forwarded to the full 275-member National Assembly to be resolved, he said.

Despite completing about 90 per cent of the document, the parliamentary committee, which includes Shiites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds, has bogged down over a handful of issues.

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