BBC (early Sunday): Iraq leader warns of poll delay

[Jack Rabbit]

From the BBC Online
Dated Sunday June 27 01:44 GMT (Saturday 6:44 pm PDT)

Iraq leader warns of poll delay

Iraq's interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has warned that violence could force a delay in general elections due in January next year.
Speaking on America's CBS News he said the date was entirely dependent on the security situation. His comments came amid more violence, with car bombs in Hilla and Irbil and raids on political offices in Baquba.

Also, suspected al-Qaeda-linked gunmen are threatening to kill three Turks whom they claim to have taken hostage.

In his warning about the effects of the volatile security situation Mr Allawi said the planned elections could slip by as much as two months.

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Allawi probably realizes that the only way he can hold on to power in Iraq is with the support of foreign troops and by avoiding elections.