Iraq passes long-delayed election law

Iraq's parliament has passed a long-delayed law paving the way for planned elections in January. Ending weeks of debate, it sidesteps a crisis that could have held up US troop withdrawals.

The assembly's decision appeared to resolve a key sticking point, namely, who will be allowed to vote in the disputed, oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

The northern city is claimed by both Arabs and Kurds, and has often been a major flash point in the country's prolonged civil unrest.

Under the legislation, the vote in Kirkuk will be held the same way as in other regions around the country.

However, the voting will be subject to review by a committee if there is a suspicion about the number of votes cast.

Student Ihssan Hamdi said, "It is a great step forward, the approval of the election law after so many discussions and negotiations. But this is normal in all world parliaments when reaching difficult decisions which have long-term effects, so the Parliament delayed."