In Iraq, parliament has delayed a crucial session, which was supposed to vote on the country's draft constitution by midnight Thursday. However, Iraqi lawmakers say a final version of the constitution HAS been written and will be approved. Meanwhile, violence continues in many parts of the country with a convoy of cars belonging to the president coming under attack, killing eight bodyguards.

Iraqi government spokesman Laith Kubba told reporters that parliament did not need to formally meet to approve the charter because it had effectively been passed on Monday.

Iraqi lawmakers had said they would allow three more days for a review of the Shiite-Kurdish proposed document in order to try to bring on board Sunnis opposed to the deal.

Sunnis, who have remained fiercely opposed to the charter, say it could lead to civil war.

Meanwhile, 36 Iraqis died Wednesday night and early Thursday across the country in clashes, apparently triggered by differences over the constitutional draft.

Also on Thursday, a 15-vehicle convoy of cars belonging to President Jalal Talabani were ambushed by gunmen, 80 kilometers south of the northern city of Kirkuk.

The president was not in the convoy. However, eight of his bodyguards were killed and 15 others were injured.

(CCTV.com August 26, 2005)