Iraqi general election date set (1/21/10)

[maddezmom]

Source: BBC

Iraqi general election date set

The revised law is seen as vital to the process of democratising Iraq
Iraq's parliamentary election will take place on 21 January 2010, the country's electoral commission has announced.

This comes a day after the Iraqi parliament approved a crucial election law after weeks of deadlock.

Officials said the law was passed too late for the original intended poll date, 16 January, to be kept to.

Faraj al-Haidari, the head of the electoral commission, said the date would have to be rubberstamped by the presidency council.

The electoral law - which had to be in place at least 90 days before voting - was approved by 141 of the members of parliament.

The election is seen as crucial to strengthening Iraqi democracy and correspondents say a greater delay could have affected US plans for a pullout.




Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8350446.stm

[pampango]

1. New York Times article on the Iraqi election law.

"On Sunday, President Obama called the Parliament’s action “a significant breakthrough” that would ease fears about an American military withdrawal. "

"“This agreement 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,” Mr. Obama said at the White House."

"American military commanders have said they intend to begin a rapid withdrawal of the 120,000 American troops still in Iraq after the election. The United States has pledged to withdraw all combat forces from Iraq by the end of next August, leaving about 50,000 troops in an advisory and support role. All American troops are scheduled to leave the country by the end of 2011."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/09/world/middleeast/09iraq.html