Leaders of Iraq’s main political blocs began a round of marathon meetings Tuesday with the U.S. ambassador in an attempt to reach agreement on a broad-based government. Adbul-Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the main Shiite bloc, hosted the meeting, which was also attended by Kurdish, Sunni and secular leaders. Iraq has been headed by a caretaker government since Dec. 15 parliamentary elections, and officials fear the vacuum in authority has contributed to surges of sectarian killing. Full Story