US President George W. Bush on Monday praised Iraqi lawmakers for their efforts to hammer out a constitution despite delays.

"I applaud the heroic efforts of Iraqi negotiators and appreciate their work to resolve remaining issues through continued negotiation and dialogue," Bush said in a statement released at his Texas ranch.

"We wish the Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi people well as the negotiators complete the constitutional drafting process," Bush said.

Also on Monday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice downplayed the news that Iraqis had missed a deadline to draft the constitution.

"They have achieved a lot and they have generated considerable momentum toward the completion of their constitution," Rice said at a hastily called news conference in Washington.

"We are witnessing democracy at work in Iraq," Rice said. "We are confident that they will complete this process and continue on the path toward elections for a permanent government at the end of the year."

Iraqi lawmakers on Monday voted to amend the interim law for a new Aug. 22 deadline to finalize the country's constitution.

The lawmakers approved the amendment with a show of hands after parliament speaker Hajim al-Hasani proposed the one week extension for the deadline.

Under Iraq's interim law, the constitution is to be put to a referendum on Oct. 15 ahead of a new national ballot for a permanent government in December.

Source: Xinhua