BAGHDAD, July 29: A major political conference to chart Iraq's path to democracy has been postponed until Aug 15 under pressure from the UN, raising concerns that elections planned for early next year might also be delayed.

The decision to postpone the event, billed as a crucial step ahead of the January polls , came two days before it was due to begin. There had been intense discussions among the organizers, Iraq's president and UN representative Jamal Benomar.

Several members of the organizing committee said the UN had threatened to withdraw its support for the event if it was not postponed. "The UN said more time was needed and that it had to be delayed," committee member Sadeq Moussawi said while talking to newsmen. -Reuters