Iraqi Sunni Arab vice president threatens to veto election law

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s Sunni Arab vice president threatened Sunday to veto the country’s election law unless changes are made giving Iraqis living abroad more guaranteed seats in parliament, throwing the January vote into question.

The veto threat comes a week after lawmakers passed the long-delayed legislation, paving the way for national polls in January. Any delay in the voting could derail a U.S. plan to withdraw combat troops from Iraq, a process scheduled to ramp up following the election.

Tareq al-Hashimi gave parliament until noon Tuesday to amend the election bill and ensure greater representation for voters outside Iraq, most of whom are Sunni Arabs like al-Hashimi is.

“If the law is not amended by the parliament or the electoral commission by reconsidering the distribution of ... seats, I will definitely use my constitutional right,” al-Hashimi said on al-Hurra television, referring to his veto power over legislation as vice president and a member of the three-person presidential council.

Under a plan by President Barack Obama, all U.S. combat troops must be out of Iraq by the end of August 2010. The rest of the troops, such as trainers, must leave by the end of 2011.