Iraq’s parliament approves new election law; Obama: Parliamentary approval “advances the political progress that can bring lasting peace and unity to Iraq”
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Iraqi MPs approved a law meant to govern the process of holding general elections due in early 2010. 141 of the 195 members present voted in favour of the new law. The January 2010 general elections are viewed as crucial to consolidating the country’s fledgling democracy ahead of the withdrawal of US combat troops by August 2010 and a complete pullout by the end of 2011.1
President Obama, appreciating the new development, stated that the approval of the long-delayed election law “advances the political progress that can bring lasting peace and unity to Iraq and allow for the orderly and responsible transition of American combat troops out of Iraq by next September.”2
- 1. “Iraq approves 2010 election law: official,” Khaleej Times, November 8, 2009, at http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/200...
- 2. “Iraq poll law step toward U.S. withdrawal: Obama,” Khaleej Times, November 8, 2009, at http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/200...