Iraq conflict: Clashes on approaches to Baghdad  Iraq has urged
the US to launch air strikes to halt the insurgents  Iraqi
government forces are engaged in heavy clashes with Sunni
insurgents who have made major advances in the past week.  Parts
of the city of Baquba - just 60km (37 miles) from Baghdad - were
briefly taken over by the rebels.  Reports say 44 prisoners were
killed during fighting at a police station in the city.  The US
is deploying up to 275 military personnel to protect staff at
its huge embassy in the capital.   He said it would be very hard
for Iraq to return to the situation that existed before the
Sunni militants, spearheaded by the Islamic State in Iraq and
the Levant (ISIS), took control of the northern cities of Mosul
and Tikrit in a rapid advance last week, and Tal Afar on Monday.
In other developments:    • The Iraqi government issued a
statement on Tuesday accusing neighbouring Saudi Arabia of
supporting the insurgents and providing them with financial
support - allegations Riyadh