Iraqi presidency approves elections law

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) - The three-member Presidency Council in Iraq has unanimously approved a provincial elections law that the Iraqi parliament passed last month, a council spokesman said Tuesday.

The elections measure has been described as a major step toward national reconciliation. It contains guidelines for elections in which voters will select local governing bodies before January 31.

Iraq's parliament passed the bill September 24, but the Presidency Council had to approve the bill for it to become law. The measure's approval has been described as a major step toward the goal of reconciliation among Iraqi Sunni Arabs, Shiites, and Kurds.

The Electoral Commission will set a date for the elections.