Iraq Parliament clears way for elections

BAGHDAD, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Iraq's Parliament approved three important pieces of legislation Wednesday, including one easing the way for provincial elections by Oct. 1.

In the same vote, Iraqi lawmakers also approved a $48 billion national budget and legislation aimed at fostering national reconciliation by offering limited amnesty, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The budget assures employment for about 700,000 people, with about 17 percent allocated to programs benefiting the Kurdish minority, CNN said.

"These are difficult issues. They required a lot of effort, a lot of compromise, but they are important steps forward," U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker said. "A lot of challenges face Iraq and will continue to face us all in support of Iraq. But the work of the council of representatives today deserves congratulations from all of us."

To become law, the bills still need approval from Iraq's presidential council, comprised of the president and two vice presidents.

Mahmoud Mashhadani, the Parliament's Sunni speaker who had considered dissolving the legislative body just the night before, called the turn of events "a celebration for the Iraqi Parliament."

Members of the Iraqi Accordance Front, the main Sunni party, were quoted as saying the amnesty law could speed their return to government, the Times reported