Constitution approved

last updated 8 January 2015

Baghdad

U.S. officials have approved an interim constitution for Iraq, drafted by the Iraqi Governing Council. The document ensures the rights of women, a strong but limited political role for Islam, and autonomy for the Kurdish region in the north. It also guarantees free speech and freedom of religion. “This is a great day in the history of Iraq, an unforgettable day,” said Adnan Pachachi, 80, a former diplomat who served under the Iraqi monarchy. The constitution is a first step toward the restoration of Iraqi sovereignty. But the council hasn’t yet worked out certain key issues, such as how to disarm the many private militias that roam the country or how to arrange elections for a new government.