JERUSALEM — Israel's president canceled his appearance at the opening session of parliament today, succumbing to intense pressure after police recommended indicting him on rape charges.

Attending the opening of parliament's winter session is one of President Moshe Katsav's most important and visible duties. Several lawmakers, including all members of the liberal Meretz party, had threatened to boycott the ceremony if Katsav attended.

In Katsav's absence, Parliament Speaker Dalia Itzik was to preside over today's ceremony.

Police recommended Sunday that Katsav be indicted on charges including rape and aggravated sexual assault, wrapping up a months-long investigation into complaints by women who worked for him. Katsav has denied any wrongdoing.

Attorney General Meni Mazuz must make the final decision on whether to indict. Although a decision is likely weeks away, calls on Katsav to temporarily step aside or resign are growing.

Katsav, 60, has said he is the victim of a conspiracy, but has not commented on the police recommendations.

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's government indefinitely postponed a much-anticipated national reconciliation conference Sunday as a two-day spree of sectarian revenge killings and insurgent bombings left at least 86 Iraqis dead.The U.S. military, meanwhile, said three Marines and four soldiers were killed from Friday through Sunday, the latest deaths in an especially bloody month. Hundreds of Iraqis have died in attacks and more than 50 U.S. military personnel have been killed in the first two weeks alone.Elsewhere, a militant network that includes al-Qaida in Iraq announced in a video that it had established an Islamic state in six provinces, a propaganda push in its drive to force the withdrawal of U.S. forces and topple the American-backed Iraqi government.The Mujahedeen Shura Council — an umbrella organization of insurgent groups in Iraq — said the new state was made up of six provinces including Baghdad that have large Sunni populations, along with parts of two other central provinces that are predominantly Shiite.The militants' announcement appeared mainly symbolic, since no Iraqi insurgent group has the strength or authority to act as a rival government and none controls territory.It underscored, however, the weakness of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government and its inability to bring Iraq's deeply divided politicians together.