BAGHDAD — Iraq’s election authority proposed Sunday to delay important provincial balloting in an apparent sign of frustration over a political impasse that has stalled preparations for voting planned for this fall.
The provincial election plan — strongly backed by Washington — would shift more political powers to regions and is viewed by Sunni Arabs as path to gain more influence over decisions by the Shiite-led government.
U.S. officials see the voting as another key step in national reconciliation.
But any prolonged setbacks could slow momentum for giving Sunnis a greater voice in political and security affairs — considered essential to stabilize the country and maintain pressure on al-Qaeda in Iraq and other militant factions.
The Iraqi government spokes man, Ali al-Dabbagh, told The Associated Press that the Cabinet plans to meet today to discuss election dates.
A delay would offer some breathing room to lawmakers trying to overcome Kurdish objections.
In northern Iraq, the U.S. military said American soldiers killed two armed relatives of a provincial governor during a raid in Salahuddin province against al-Qaeda in Iraq.
The military said in a statement the soldiers were acting in self-defense when they shot the relatives of Hamad Hammoud, governor of Salahuddin province. It said the slain men showed “hostile intent.”
The deputy governor, Abdullah Hussein Jabarah, said the slain men were the son and nephew of the governor. The U.S. military said a financier for al-Qaeda in Iraq was wounded and captured.
