BAGHDAD, March 9 Kyodo The follow...

BAGHDAD, March 9 Kyodo

The following are highlights of an interim constitution signed by means of the 25-member Iraqi Governing Council in Baghdad onward Monday. The highlights are based in succession an English-language version of the constitution, as provided between the sides of the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority.

The Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period says:

-- The terminus ''transitional period'' shall refer to the period beginning June 30 2004 and lasting until the formation of an fix uponed Iraqi government pursuant to a permanent constitution as appoint forth in this law, which in any case shall be no later than Dec 31 2005

-- The first phase shall begin with the formation of a full sovereign Iraqi Interim command that takes power on June 30 2004

-- The inferior phase shall begin after the formation of the Iraqi Transitional restraint which will take place after elections for the National Assembly have been held as stipulated in this Law, provided that, if possible, these elections are not delayed beyond Dec 31 2004 and, in any termination beyond Jan. 31, 2005.

-- The scheme of government in Iraq shall be republican, federal, democratic, and pluralistic, and powers shall be shared between the federal guidance and the regional governments, governorates, municipalities, and local administrations.

-- The Iraqi Armed Forces shall be expose to the civilian manage of the Iraqi Transitional Government

-- Islam is the official religion of the State and is to be considered a source of legislation. This Law have a high opinion ofs the Islamic identity of the majority of the Iraqi tribe and guarantees the full religious rights of all individuals to freedom of religious belief and practice.

-- As an expression of the emancipated will and sovereignty of the Iraqi the public their representatives shall form the governmental conformations of the State of Iraq.

-- All Iraqis are equal in their rights without regard to inflection for sex sect, opinion, belief, nationality, religion, or origin, and they are equal before the law. Discrimination against an Iraqi citizen forward the basis of his form relative to sex nationality, religion, or origin is prohibited.

-- The Iraqi Transitional regulation which is also referred to in this Law as the federal restraint shall consist of the National Assembly; the Presidency Council; the Council of Ministers, including the Prime Minister; and the judicial authority.

-- Elections for the National Assembly shall take place according to Dec. 31, 2004 if possible, and in any case no later than on Jan.31, 2005.

-- The National Assembly shall consist of 275 members. It shall enact a law dealing with the replacement of its members in the circumstance of resignation, removal, or death.

-- The National Assembly shall prefer from its own members, a president and pair deputy presidents of the National Assembly.

-- The National Assembly shall make choice of a President of the State and brace Deputies. They shall form the Presidency Council, the function of which will be to exhibit the sovereignty of Iraq and superintend the higher affairs of the country

-- The Kurdistan Regional management is recognized as the official guidance of the territories that were administered on the that government forward March 19, 2003 in the governorates of Dohuk, Arbil, Sulaimaniya, Kirkuk, Diyala and Neneveh

-- This Law shall guarantee the administrative, cultural, and political rights of the Turcomans, ChaldoAssyrians, and all other citizens.

-- The National Assembly shall write the draft of the permanent constitution by the agency of no later than Aug. 15 2005

-- The draft permanent constitution shall be instanted to the Iraqi folks for approval in a general referendum to be held no later than Oct 15 2005

-- If the permanent constitution is approved in the referendum elections for a permanent management shall be held no later than Dec 15 2005 and the of the present day government shall assume office no later than Dec 31 2005

-- This law shall remain in general intent until the permanent constitution is issued and the novel Iraqi government is formed in accordance with it.

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