Iraq's parliament has approved a long-delayed election law paving the way of Parliamentary election in the country due in January next year.<br/><br/> According to Iraq’s National Iraqi News Agency, Parliament ratified the election law with 141 votes in favour in the 275-seat parliament after overcoming disagreements over the disputed city of Kirkuk, which will have same status along with other parts of the country.<br/><br/> US president Barrack Obama has welcomed this vote and said that this is an important milestone as the Iraqi people continue to take responsibility for their future. He stressed that US will continue to stand by the country.<br/><br/> The parliamentary election is seen as a crucial test for the country after a long period of sectarian strife in the country. Election in Kirkuk will also be held with the rest of Iraq's provinces. Ethnic Kurds claim that Kirkuk is part of their ancestral homeland and want it included in their semi-autonomous northern region but Arabs and Turkmen living in the area oppose this and want it under the control of the federal government