Contenders vie for say in Iraq govt

Failure to solve differences may test stability

BAGHDAD -The United States might be trying to disentangle itself from Iraq, but there is no shortage of contenders to take its place.

A battle between Iraq's neighbors for influence in Baghdad is being played out between Iraq's Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds, complicating efforts to stitch together a government three months after an inconclusive parliamentary election.