This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6903636.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Marathon Iraq talks in US Senate Marathon Iraq talks in US Senate
(about 4 hours later)
The US Senate is holding an all-night session as the Democrats seek to pass legislation requiring an early withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Democrats have forced the US Senate to hold an all-night debate on a proposal calling for combat troops to withdraw from Iraq by the end of April.
Beds, pillows and snacks have been brought into the Senate building, where votes will be held through the night. Beds, pillows and snacks were brought into the Senate building, where votes were being held through the night.
The Democrats hope to push wavering Republicans to break ranks. They have so far been unable to raise the 60 votes needed to move to a final vote. The Democrats control the Senate 51-49, but so far have been unable to raise the 60 votes needed to move the proposal to a final vote.
Republican leaders have dismissed the round-the-clock session as theatrics. Republican leaders dismissed the debate as a publicity stunt.
They say the Democrats are simply seeking to placate anti-war activists who have criticised the party for its lack of progress on changing course in Iraq since last year's mid-term elections. But Senate Democratic Majority leader Harry Reid said: "Republicans will need to choose whether they want to protect the president or protect our troops."
'Real thing' Anti-war demonstrators have also been holding a candle-lit vigil outside the Senate as the marathon debate goes on.
Sleepless night
The legislation at stake, proposed by Democratic senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed, would require the withdrawal of most US troops from Iraq by the end of April 2008, with redeployment starting within 120 days of the bill's passage.The legislation at stake, proposed by Democratic senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed, would require the withdrawal of most US troops from Iraq by the end of April 2008, with redeployment starting within 120 days of the bill's passage.
The Democrats want to pass legislation to bring US troops home The vote to bring the debate to an end and move to a final ballot is expected to take place at about noon (1600 GMT).
The vote to bring debate to an end and move to a final ballot on passage of the bill is expected to take place at about noon on Wednesday (1600 GMT). The Democrats want to put pressure on wavering RepublicansSo far, the legislation has drawn the support of three Republicans, but most continue to back the White House.
However, the Republicans are using a procedural measure to insist on 60 votes for victory rather than a simple majority of the Senate's 100 members. Even if the measure were passed, it would likely be vetoed by President George Bush.
That means there is little chance of the Democrats succeeding, but they may hope the all-night spectacle will demonstrate their determination to begin withdrawing from Iraq, says the BBC's James Westhead in Washington. Opening the round-the-clock debate, Democrat Richard Durbin said: "The Senate spending a sleepless night is no great sacrifice. Soldiers and families who pray for them spend many sleepless nights."
After months of stalemate on the issue of Iraq policy, Democrat Richard Durbin said it was "time for a taste of the real thing". Using a procedural measure, the Republicans have insisted on 60 votes for victory rather than a simple majority of the Senate's 100 members.
Opening the round-the-clock debate, he said: "The Senate spending a sleepless night is no great sacrifice. Soldiers and families who pray for them spend many sleepless nights."
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said: "It's perfectly fine with us to stay here today and this evening."Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said: "It's perfectly fine with us to stay here today and this evening."
But he added: "Our enemies aren't threatened by talk-a-thons, and our troops deserve better than publicity stunts."But he added: "Our enemies aren't threatened by talk-a-thons, and our troops deserve better than publicity stunts."
Anti-war vigil Many Republicans have backed Mr Bush's call to wait until a 15 September progress report on Iraq before considering a change in direction.
Senator John McCain, the most senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee, has backed Mr Bush's strategy.
Mr McCain warned that "a precipitous withdrawal of US troops would lead to a blood bath" and would be seen by extremists as a victory over the US.
Anti-war demonstrators are to hold a candle-lit vigil outside the Senate as the marathon debate goes on.
Although a handful of Republican senators have defected over President George W Bush's war policy, most continue to back the White House.
Mr Bush has called on Congress to wait until a 15 September progress report on the surge strategy, under which some 30,000 extra troops have been deployed, before considering a change in direction.
An interim report released last week showed limited progress, particularly on the part of the Iraqi government.