4 U.S. soldiers slain in clashes;
militants in Web videos claim beheadings
By TRACI CARL

BAGHDAD (AP) - Militant groups posted Internet videos Tuesday claiming to have beheaded an Iraqi soldier and killed an alleged informant, and insurgents launched attacks that left four U.S. troops dead.

The bombings and ambushes came after a relative lull in fighting, including the lowest monthly death toll for the U.S. military in a year: 34 service members killed in March.

Iraqi legislators prepared to name a new Iraqi president on Wednesday, taking a step toward building a new government and writing a permanent constitution and thereby paving the way to an eventual withdrawal of U.S. troops.

Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani was expected to get the job. One of his two vice-presidential posts was likely to go Adel Abdul-Mahdi, with interim President Ghazi al-Yawer and al-Sharif Ali bin Hussein two possible candidates for the second job.

As U.S. officials have begun returning control of the troubled country to Iraqi security and government officials, insurgents are targeting Iraqis along with U.S. troops.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/Iraq/2004/11/29/740395-ap.html