Iraq PM in constitution talks

"Iraq's Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, says the country's leading Shia cleric is prepared to accept an Iraq set up on a federal basis.
Speaking after talks Najaf, Mr Jaafari said Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, had said he would accept a federal Iraq if it was the choice of the people.

The comments came shortly after the postponement of a meeting about the drafting of a new constitution.

Political leaders and members of the charter committee will meet on Sunday.

Political groups will try to break the deadlock over several key issues, including the role of federalism.

On Friday, Mr Jaafari told reporters after a meeting in the southern city of Najaf that: "Sistani emphasised... that the constitution should reflect the different components of the Iraqi people, and it should express with sincerity and truth their sectarian, ethnic and political make-up.""
BBC