Obama presses Iraqi leaders to end deadlock

US: President Barack Obama pressed Iraqi leaders Thursday to end a post-election deadlock and form a new government without further delay as the top US commander in Iraq told him a troop drawdown was running ahead of schedule.

Iraqi parties have been unable to agree on a governing coalition since a March election that produced no clear winner. Prolonged uncertainty could expose Iraq to a risky power vacuum as it struggles to contain a stubborn insurgency.

Obama met U.S. Iraq ambassador Chris Hill and top commander General Ray Odierno to discuss Iraq's political future and progress on efforts to reduce U.S. troop levels to 50,000 and end their combat role in the country by the end of August. "The president shared his view that it is time for Iraq's leaders to exercise their constitutional responsibilities and form a government without delay," the White House said.

Vice President Joe Biden, who visited Baghdad earlier this month, reinforced that message in phone calls on Thursday to incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and former premier Iyad Allawi, the top vote-getter in the March 7 ballot.WASHINGTON, Friday, Reuters