Iraqi Local Council Rejects Premier's Police Appointee.

An attempt by the prime minister to replace a police chief in southern Iraq boiled over into accusations of political manipulation and improper campaigning on Saturday, two weeks ahead of provincial elections scheduled across the country. A day after Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki ordered the police chief in Wasit Province, Maj. Gen. Abdul Haneen al-Amara, to be replaced for failing to enforce election laws, the local provincial council rejected Mr. Maliki's new choice. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]