A bomb attached to a bicycle killed five people and wounded dozens in southern Iraq on Sunday, and at least five others were killed in violence across the country, AP qouted police as saying. The bloodshed comes as Iraqi lawmakers intensify negotiations over a new election law that many hope will hasten the end of political gridlock over control of oil-rich Kirkuk _ an old dispute between Arabs and Kurds that has threatened Iraq"s fragile stability as U.S. troops prepare to leave the country. The United Nations expressed «heightened concern» over the stalemate on Sunday and urged the lawmakers to focus on Iraq"s national interests. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for Jan. 16, although lawmakers have yet to pass key legislation that will govern the crucial nationwide vote. Violence continued around the country, killing at least 10 people on Sunday. -- SPA
