The threat came two days after Iraq’s Sunni vice president said he would veto the election law passed last week unless more seats are set aside for representatives of Iraqi refugees. The majority of Iraqis abroad are Sunni.

Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi has until Wednesday to veto the law, which legislators approved after weeks of wrangling, primarily over how the vote would be held in the disputed northern city of Kirkuk.

The two ultimatums underscored the deep divisions among Iraqi politicians and raised fresh concerns about Iraq’s ability to hold a credible election by Jan. 18.

U.S. officials see the vote as a turning point that they hope will contribute to a smooth withdrawal of tens of thousands of U.S. troops by the end of summer.

Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, said in a statement that the seat allocation system, which is based on food ration cards issued by the Trade Ministry, is “illogical, contradicts the reality on the ground and is a distortion of the facts.”

Kurds have amassed considerable political capital in Baghdad since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion while running their region like an independent state. If they boycott the election, they stand to lose their clout in Baghdad.

РErnesto Londo̱o and Nada Bakri

SOMALIA