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Iraq’s presidency agrees on elections law | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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BAGHDAD (AP) – A spokesman says Iraq’s presidential council has agreed on a law that paves the way for U.S.-backed provincial elections to be held by the end of January.

The spokesman for the panel, Nasser al-Ani, tells The Associated Press that the law has gained unanimous approval from the three-member panel and will be signed later Friday.

Al-Ani says the panel led by President Jalal Talabani decided to approve the law on Monday but did not sign it due to Islamic holidays.

The move is a breakthrough for U.S.-led efforts to promote reconciliation, although Iraqi lawmakers did not address two divisive issues: the status of the oil-rich region around Kirkuk and representation of minorities.