Iraq’s presidential council has agreed on a law which paves the way for US-backed provincial elections to be held by the end of January, a spokesman said today.

The Iraqi government is considering pardons for several thousand people convicted of insurgency-related offences as a move towards national reconciliation, Iraqi officials said today.

SUNNI Arab and secular groups refused yesterday to open discussions with the Shiite religious bloc, leading in Iraq's parliamentary elections, until a full review of the contested results is carried out.

Sunni Arab and secular groups refused to open discussions with the Shiite religious bloc leading in Iraq’s parliamentary elections until a full review of the contested results is carried out.