Iraqi parliament approves election law

Iraqi lawmakers have approved a law that clears the way for parliament elections early next year.

The law was approved late toight in an emergency parliament session after days of wrangling by politicians.

It is seen as an important step toward political reconciliation and easing the withdrawal of US troops.

Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly for the law that has been mired for weeks over demands for greater political voice for minority Sunnis and the distribution of seats in Iraq’s expanded 325-seat parliament in next year’s election.