Iraq delays local elections for 6 months

Iraq’s government has announced it will postpone local elections for six months, following a request by military commanders in response to violence sweeping the country. A statement by the Iraqi Council of Ministers issued on Tuesday said: “The Council decided to postpone provincial elections in all governorates or Iraq for six months, during its regular meeting.” Commander-in-chief of the armed forces and prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, reportedly made the request due to “turmoil” in the country. Iraq will remark the 10-year anniversary of the US occupation which helped depose Baathist dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.