MPs say Iraq's provincial elections could be delayed

Washington says the elections will promote reconciliation by boosting the participation of minority Sunni Arabs in politics. Sunni Arabs boycotted the last local polls in January 2005.

Analysts say the elections will also be the battleground for a fierce power struggle among majority Shi'ites.

Usama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni Arab lawmaker from the Iraqi National list, said the Kurdish demands could delay reaching a solution.

"I don't believe this problem will be solved soon," he said.

(Writing by Dean Yates, Editing by Mariam Karouny)