Minister hints at polls delay

Published January 4, 2005

CAIRO, Jan 3: Iraqi Defence Minister Hazem al-Shaalan said on Monday that the elections scheduled for Jan 30 could be delayed if the Sunni community agreed to take part, in an interview with AFP.

"We have asked our Arab brothers, particularly in Egypt and Gulf countries, to get Iraqi Sunnis to participate in the elections and if such a participation requires a delay to the election date, they could be delayed," said Mr Shaalan.

He said he was convinced "Washington would be happy that the election operation was comprehensive with the participation of all." -AFP

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