Iraqi parliament passes new vote law, veto unresolved

BAGHDAD: Iraq's fractious parliament on Monday approved an amended version of a law needed to hold a general election next year, but deliberately sidestepped a veto by Sunni Arab Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi, lawmakers said.

The law will return to the presidential council, where lawmakers close to Hashemi said he might veto it again -- potentially delaying by a month the election due in January and threatening U.S. plans for a troop drawdown next year. AGENCIES