Iraq PM warns of threat in run-up to vote

Baghdad: Iraq's prime minister warns that insurgents may try to undermine the country's fledgling democracy in the run-up to January's national elections.

Nouri Al Maliki told tribal leaders from Baghdad's Shiite Sadr City district on Wednesday that maintaining security was his top priority, but said insurgent groups do not want the vote to be held in a secure climate.

Iraq has seen a significant security improvement over the past two years, but attacks blamed by the government on al-Qaida in Iraq and Saddam Hussein supporters continue to hinder the country's return to normalcy.

The attacks also undermine confidence in the abilities of Iraq's security forces ahead of the scheduled withdrawal by August 2010 of all US combat forces.