THE Iraqi government and lawmakers struggled to find a way to allow non-US foreign forces remain in Iraq next year, after parliament rejected a law that would have sanctioned their presence yesterday.

IRAQ has demanded changes be made to a draft security pact with the United States after it failed to win the support of its political leaders despite months of painstaking negotiations with Washington.

A TOP Shi’ite lawmaker yesterday said names of selections for top posts in the new Iraqi government must be agreed upon before parliament can convene next week, casting doubt on whether the legislature will meet as announced.

INSURGENTS assassinated a senior Iraqi army commander yesterday and staged two suicide car bombings, killing 15 people, in violence that politicians fear may deepen if a new government is not formed soon.

IRAQ’S deputy president Rowsch Shways said talks on a new government between the main Shi’ite alliance and Kurds would continue after parliament meets for the first time on Wednesday.