March 12th Morning Readbook

UN sanctions on Iraq still in force 




In Early Tally, Tight Iraq Race Deepens Splits
Iraq’s major coalitions were locked in a surprisingly close race on Thursday, in initial results from elections that deepened divisions across a fractured landscape. Candidates were quick to charge fraud, heightening concerns whether Iraq’s fledgling institutions were strong enough to support a peaceful transfer of power.


Iraq's election race tight as results delayed again
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had a modest lead over rival Shi'ites, partial results from Iraq's tight election race showed on Friday, but a secularist challenger remained far ahead among Iraqi Sunnis.


 Yemen holds US 'al-Qaeda member' 
Yemini authorities have arrested a US citizen suspected of being an al-Qaeda operative who allegedly killed a guard while trying to break out of a hospital.


Some U.S. officials see a growing Taliban-Al Qaeda rift
A growing number of Taliban militants in the Pakistani border region are refusing to collaborate with Al Qaeda fighters, declining to provide shelter or assist in attacks in Afghanistan even in return for payment, according to U.S. military and counter-terrorism officials.


Peace eludes Swat Valley 




Suicide blasts in Pakistan's Lahore kill 39
Suicide bombers targeting the Pakistani military killed at least 39 people in the city of Lahore on Friday, officials said, despite government assertions that crackdowns had weakened Taliban insurgents.


The main headlines on Al Jazeera