Iraqi army prepares assault in Diyala as election law vetoed (McClatchy Newspapers)

By Nicholas Spangler, McClatchy Newspapers 25 minutes ago BAGHDAD — Iraqi army troops headed Wednesday into Diyala, one of Iraq's last remaining restive provinces, in preparation for the next major government offensive, as Iraqi president Jalal Talabani vetoed a long-awaited elections bill, casting into doubt provincial elections widely viewed as critical for national reconciliation. Troops are deploying in Diyala, northeast of Baghdad , for a military operation against al Qaida in Iraq and other insurgent groups, Iraqi Gen. Abdulkarim Rubylee said Wednesday. Similar operations over the past months in Basra, Sadr City in Baghdad and Amara restored much of the country to government control. Diyala remains one of the most dangerous regions in Iraq . "This is to get rid of what remains of al Qaida and the insurgents," said... [read full story]