KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The biblical birthplace of the prophet Abraham could also give birth to a new Iraq. A U.S.- handpicked group of Iraqi opposition leaders are meeting in Ur where the future is on the table. CNN's John Vause is in nearby Nasiriya.</s>JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is a first in a series of meetings which will ultimately decide the future of Iraq. But already, deep divisions are beginning to emerge. The leader of the Iraqi National Congress, the main exile group did not turn up today. Instead, he sent a delegation. And also, the Shiite Muslims, a protest in nearby Nasiriya. They too, boycotted this meeting. They say they do not want the United States to have any part of forming a new government for Iraq. Iraq for Iraqis is the call we constantly heard. There's also concern about how long U.S. forces will stay in this region. Many people wanting the U.S. out immediately. Others, though, hoping that the U.S. and British forces will stay in Iraq and secure this country to prevent the scenes of looting and stealing that we saw in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party. These meetings will be carried out around the country over the next coming -- few weeks and then there will be one national meeting. And from that the U.S. hopes the Iraqi interim authority will be formed. John Vause, CNN, Nasiriya.
Ur Meeting Over Iraqi Leadership Faced With Boycotts, Opposition to U.S.