Iraq passes new vote law; veto unresolved

Iraq's fractious parliament on Monday approved an amended version of a law needed to hold a general election next year, but deliberately sidestepped a veto by Sunni Arab Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, lawmakers said.

The law will return to the presidential council, where lawmakers close to Hashemi said he might veto it again, potentially delaying by a month the election due in January and threatening US plans for a troop drawdown next year. (Reuters)