Wow, Sunday good news.

Iraqi lawmakers passed a long-stalled elections law late Sunday, compromising in last-minute negotiations that dragged out most of last week and threatened the timing of next year’s parliamentary polls.

Lawmakers agreed Sunday on the key sticking point–how the vote will be held in the oil-rich area of Kirkuk in northern Iraq, which is claimed by Sunni Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds.

“We didn’t get everything we wanted but at least it’s done now,” said Fryad Rawandoozi, spokesman for the Kurdish bloc.

I’ll be interested in the details here, and the Iraqi election missions apparently still thinks that there isn’t enough time to hold the election in January as planned. But, you know, compromise, wow.

Update: Obama in the Rose Garden:

I want to congratulate Iraq’s leaders for reaching this agreement.  Their flexibility and commitment to their country sends an important signal to the world about Iraq’s democracy and national unity.  And I look forward to prompt approval of this law by Iraq’s Presidency Council.

Iraq has known many challenges, and in the past several weeks we’ve seen that there are still those who would kill innocent men, women and children to deny the Iraqi people the future they deserve.  Today’s step forward is another reminder that these enemies of the Iraqi people will fail.

The United States will continue to stand with Iraq as a strong partner and as a friend.  Tough challenges remain and I’m sure that there will be difficult days to come.  But 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.