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February 3, 2009

UN Envoy to Discuss Iraq Elections
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Special representative to report on Iraq's provincial elections as some
leaders charge fraud 
U.N. Envoy to Iraq Staffan de Mistura (file photo)The United Nations
special representative for Iraq will report Tuesday on provincial
elections, as the nation awaits results from Saturday's polling.
Official results are not expected at least for several days, but already
some are charging fraud. Among them are tribal leaders in Anbar
province. The leaders, who turned against al-Qaida in Iraq two years
ago, are angry because they believe the election results were
manipulated to favor Sunni rivals from the Iraqi Islamic Party.
Officials in Anbar province ordered a vehicle ban overnight Monday.
Iraqi media said unofficial election results suggest that many Iraqis
turned away from religious parties they blame for fueling sectarian
tensions. The reports said that sentiment benefited allies of Iraq's
Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who campaigned on a
law-and-order platform rather than religious themes. Elections were held
in 14 of Iraq's 18 provinces. Iraq's Kurdistan!
  is one of the places delaying elections until various regional issues
can be worked out. Kurdish Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani said Monday
that an agreement has been reached in principle to hold provincial
elections on May 19.U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by telephone
Monday with Mr. Maliki and President Jalal Talabani. The White House
said Mr. Obama offered the best wishes of the American people as newly
elected Iraqi leaders assume their duties. The White House said Mr.
Obama also discussed the planning process for withdrawing U.S. troops
from Iraq and pledged to consult with the Iraqi government as the plans
move forward. 


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