Iraq army retakes Saddam's birthplace

Seen as sectarian and divisive by many, the Shiite premier points to his huge popular mandate after his State of Law coalition dominated April's parliamentary elections.But his bid for re-election was dealt a blow by Osama al-Nujaifi, who held the speaker's position in the previous parliament and announced he would not seek a new tenure. The complex game of alliances being played over Iraq's top three posts means that, although the two men are rivals,Nujaifi's withdrawal is seen as removing a key obstacle to Maliki's ouster.