A day after failing to meet their deadline, Iraqi leaders expressed confidence on Tuesday that they will overcome differences over key issues such as the role of Islam and the power of regional governments and finish the new Constitution by next week. Negotiators now have until August 22 to try to draft the charter.
Insurgents have attacked the Abu Ghraib prison west of Baghdad, injuring 44 United States service members and 12 prisoners after a period of declining attacks that had raised hopes the insurgency might be weakening. Lawmakers also prepared to name a new speaker on Sunday in a session aimed at ending days of deadlock.