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| Iraq MPs approve election reform | Iraq MPs approve election reform |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The Iraqi parliament has approved a crucial election law ahead of national polls due in January 2010. | The Iraqi parliament has approved a crucial election law ahead of national polls due in January 2010. |
| The reform was passed by a wide margin after weeks of deadlock, which had raised fears that the parliamentary election might have to be delayed. | The reform was passed by a wide margin after weeks of deadlock, which had raised fears that the parliamentary election might have to be delayed. |
| There have been concerns that such a postponement could undo recent progress towards greater stability. | There have been concerns that such a postponement could undo recent progress towards greater stability. |
| US President Barack Obama hailed the MPs' vote as a "milestone" as Iraqis take responsibility for their future. | US President Barack Obama hailed the MPs' vote as a "milestone" as Iraqis take responsibility for their future. |
| "I want to congratulate Iraq's leaders for reaching this agreement," He added. | "I want to congratulate Iraq's leaders for reaching this agreement," He added. |
| ANALYSIS Sebastian Usher, BBC regional analyst | ANALYSIS Sebastian Usher, BBC regional analyst |
| The key sticking point was the northern city of Kirkuk. The city is in a region that sits on vast oil reserves. | The key sticking point was the northern city of Kirkuk. The city is in a region that sits on vast oil reserves. |
| Its population is divided between Kurds and Arabs, with both vying for control. The Kurds wanted its electoral roll modified to show them as the majority | Its population is divided between Kurds and Arabs, with both vying for control. The Kurds wanted its electoral roll modified to show them as the majority |
| In the end, the electoral law was a compromise that left a final decision over Kirkuk for later. | In the end, the electoral law was a compromise that left a final decision over Kirkuk for later. |
| "The United States will continue to stand with Iraq as a strong partner and as a friend." | "The United States will continue to stand with Iraq as a strong partner and as a friend." |
| January's election is seen as crucial to strengthening Iraqi democracy. | January's election is seen as crucial to strengthening Iraqi democracy. |
| Correspondents say it could affect US plans for a pullout. | Correspondents say it could affect US plans for a pullout. |
| The electoral law - which has to be in place at least 90 days before voting - was approved by 141 of 196 lawmakers present. | The electoral law - which has to be in place at least 90 days before voting - was approved by 141 of 196 lawmakers present. |
| The emotional session was broadcast live on national television. | The emotional session was broadcast live on national television. |
| The parliamentary vote had been delayed 10 times over several weeks. | The parliamentary vote had been delayed 10 times over several weeks. |
| The country's factions were deadlocked on a range of issues including: the distribution of seats in the ethnically divided, oil-rich city of Kirkuk; and how candidates are to be listed on ballot papers. | The country's factions were deadlocked on a range of issues including: the distribution of seats in the ethnically divided, oil-rich city of Kirkuk; and how candidates are to be listed on ballot papers. |
| UN warning | UN warning |
| It was not immediately clear whether the elections would go forward on the scheduled date of 16 January. | It was not immediately clear whether the elections would go forward on the scheduled date of 16 January. |
| IRAQI ELECTIONS 2003: US appoints Governing Council2004: Governing Council elects interim governmentAug 2004: National conference elects interim national assemblyJan 2005: First general elections for transitional national assembly and provincial councilsDec 2005: General elections for first full-term government and parliamentJan 2009: Polls for provincial councils - key test of security gains | IRAQI ELECTIONS 2003: US appoints Governing Council2004: Governing Council elects interim governmentAug 2004: National conference elects interim national assemblyJan 2005: First general elections for transitional national assembly and provincial councilsDec 2005: General elections for first full-term government and parliamentJan 2009: Polls for provincial councils - key test of security gains |
| The MPs decided on Sunday that in Kirkuk - and other provinces where there is dispute over electoral rolls because of the ethnic mix of the area - the results would be provisional. | The MPs decided on Sunday that in Kirkuk - and other provinces where there is dispute over electoral rolls because of the ethnic mix of the area - the results would be provisional. |
| They also decided that electoral lists printed on ballot papers would include names of politicians standing for office - as opposed to showing only anonymous party blocks. | |
| The UN had warned it could not guarantee to endorse the poll if the reform bill was not passed. | |
| There have been a number of deadly attacks across Iraq in recent weeks. | There have been a number of deadly attacks across Iraq in recent weeks. |
| Observers say violence may intensify as militant groups attempt to destabilise Iraq in the run-up to the election. | Observers say violence may intensify as militant groups attempt to destabilise Iraq in the run-up to the election. |