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Iraqi MPs to discuss election law Iraqi MPs to discuss election law
(about 6 hours later)
Iraqi lawmakers are due to meet to try to break the deadlock over legislation covering next month's general election.Iraqi lawmakers are due to meet to try to break the deadlock over legislation covering next month's general election.
The differences between Arab and Kurdish factions centre on the disputed northern oil city of Kirkuk.The differences between Arab and Kurdish factions centre on the disputed northern oil city of Kirkuk.
The UN special envoy, Ad Melkert, has told the BBC that MPs must resolve the issue this week or risk a postponement of the 16 January poll.The UN special envoy, Ad Melkert, has told the BBC that MPs must resolve the issue this week or risk a postponement of the 16 January poll.
The meeting comes as Iraqi officials raised the death toll from Sunday's bombings in Baghdad to 155.The meeting comes as Iraqi officials raised the death toll from Sunday's bombings in Baghdad to 155.
Another 500 people were wounded in the co-ordinated attacks, which were Baghdad's bloodiest since April 2007.Another 500 people were wounded in the co-ordinated attacks, which were Baghdad's bloodiest since April 2007.
'Crunch time''Crunch time'
Several officials said before Tuesday's meeting that progress had been made in ironing out differences between the factions.Several officials said before Tuesday's meeting that progress had been made in ironing out differences between the factions.
Funerals are being held across Baghdad after the horrific attackFunerals are being held across Baghdad after the horrific attack
A draft proposal is expected to be presented to political party leaders before going to the parliament.A draft proposal is expected to be presented to political party leaders before going to the parliament.
Details of the proposal were not immediately known.Details of the proposal were not immediately known.
Iraqi lawmakers have already missed on deadline to pass the election law, and Mr Melkert told the BBC that the coming days would be crucial.Iraqi lawmakers have already missed on deadline to pass the election law, and Mr Melkert told the BBC that the coming days would be crucial.
"It is really crunch time now, and this is the week that decisions must be taken."It is really crunch time now, and this is the week that decisions must be taken.
"I know there are many people working towards that end but to bridge the gaps and the differences is still quite an effort," Mr Melkert said."I know there are many people working towards that end but to bridge the gaps and the differences is still quite an effort," Mr Melkert said.
A delay to the election could upset the fragile security situation in Iraq and affect the Pentagon's timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from the country, the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Baghdad says.A delay to the election could upset the fragile security situation in Iraq and affect the Pentagon's timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from the country, the BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse in Baghdad says.
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