Insurgents Occupy City Hall in Town North Before Being Expelled by U.S.

[seriousstan]

Insurgents Occupy City Hall in Town North Before Being Expelled by U.S. and Iraqi Forces
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Insurgents attacked and briefly occupied city hall in a town north of Baghdad early Saturday before being driven out by U.S. and Iraqi forces in a firefight that left several rebels dead and one policeman wounded, officials said.
The violence in Al Khalis came a day after 17 Iraqi political parties representing Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Christians and secular groups demanded a six-month delay in Jan. 30 elections until the government can secure polling places from violence.

The declaration was signed at the home of Sunni elder statesman Adnan Pachachi during a meeting attended by three Cabinet ministers. Pachachi, a former foreign minister, said he believed the government was waiting for such a request before seriously considering whether the election can be held as scheduled.

Speaking at his vacation home in Crawford, Texas, President Bush responded to the news of the demand Friday by saying: "The Iraqi Election Commission has scheduled elections in January, and I would hope they'd go forward in January."

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBHR5FK12E.html