US-Iraqi split delays final deal on new govt

Differences between the Iraqi Governing Council and US authorities over who should be the country’s new president stalled a final agreement on the make-up of an interim government to take power on June 30.

A council member said yesterday that the US and UN envoy Lakhdar Brahimi favoured ex-foreign minister Adnan Pachachi, who supports keeping foreign troops in Iraq until the security situation is stabilised.