WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Tuesday expressed confidence that drafters of the Iraqi constitution to guide the new government will arrive at a solution that meets the needs of the people.

    "The people working on drafting the Iraqi constitution have been working very hard over the past months...They will arrive at a solution that meets the needs of the Iraqi people," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a news briefing.

    "We will do everything that we can, within the bounds of what they want, to help them get that done," McCormack said.

    US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke by telephone on Tuesday with American Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, and twice on Monday as Khalilzad assisted the drafters, McCormack said.

    In addition to the United States, the United Nations is also offering advice as well, McCormack said.

    Political leaders of Iraq failed to meet the deadline on Monday for completing the new constitution and voted to give themselves another week to resolve fundamental disagreements over the future and identity of this fractious land.

    Iraq's constitution drafters had reached a tentative deal, resolving issues like oil revenues and the country's name but putting off decisions on the most contentious questions like federalism, women's rights, the role of Islam and possible Kurdish autonomy.

    According to a timetable of the political process, the draft Iraqi constitution due on Monday will be put for a referendum on Oct. 15, which will be followed by elections to form a new government by December. Enditem