WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush has made a phone call to a senior Shiite leader in Iraq to prompt work on a new constitution, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said on Friday.

   Bush called Shiite leader Abdul-Aiz al-Hakim on Wednesday to "discuss current developments in Iraq's constitutional process," said Duffy.

   Duffy declined to elaborate on the particulars the two leaders discussed. Nor would he say whether Bush planned more such personal diplomacy as negotiations continue.

   "It reflects ... that this is an Iraqi process and that the United States is here to help them," Duffy said.

   The United States has been closely involved in the political process in Iraq. Bush had urged that a consensus be found on the draft of a constitution.

   Drafting of Iraq's constitution, which was initially due to have been submitted to parliament on Aug. 15, has been dogged by disputes over a number of key issues including federalism, the role of Islam and sharing of oil wealth.  Enditem