Iraqis agree an interim constitution

Iraqi politicians agreed early today on an interim constitution with a wide ranging bill of rights and a single chief executive, bridging a gulf between several members over the role of Islam in the future government.

A coalition official said the new document – which will be signed by top US administrator Paul Bremer on Wednesday, after the Shiite Muslim religious holiday of Ashoura ends – “strikes a balance between the role of Islam and the bill of individual rights and democratic principles”.