Iraqi political leaders are meeting Tuesday for a second round of talks aimed at resolving differences over key points in the Iraqi constitution.
A draft of the constitution is due Monday, but issues such as federalism, women's rights, the role of Islam and the country's official language still need to be agreed upon, raising concerns that the deadline might not be met.
Speaking at the Pentagon, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld urged the Iraqis to meet that deadline, saying the constitution could turn out to be a powerful weapon against insurgents.
Meanwhile, a wave of shooting attacks across Baghdad killed 10 police officers, and a suicide car bomber killed at least three civilians and an American soldier. Also, the U.S. military announced Tuesday that a Marine was shot and killed Monday in Ramadi.