BREAKING NEWS

Iraqi politicians to meet on government impasse

BAGHDAD — The leaders of Iraq's main political blocs plan to meet face-to-face for the first time since March elections on Monday, amid signs they are close to breaking the eight-month political deadlock that has stalled the formation of a new government.
The two men vying for prime minister — incumbent Nouri al-Maliki and his rival Ayad Allawi — both plan to attend the meeting, officials from their respective parties said.
If the meeting of deeply divided blocs goes forward, it would mark a rare sign of progress toward resolving months of political bickering, although such developments have fallen apart in the past.