Barack Obama, the US president, has hailed the passage of Iraq's much delayed election law as historic.

The agreement came after months of political deadlock and will now pave the way for the second general election since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.

The vote is expected to take place no later than the end of January.
 
The election is seen as vital to Iraq's stability - not least because it could have ramifications for foreign involvement in the country.

The United Nations previously warned that it might not endorse the elections if the bill was not passed.
 
So, what does this mean for the future of Iraq?

Inside Story, with presenter Imran Garda, discusses with guests Saad al-Mutalibi, a political adviser at the ministry of dialogue and the head of the government's reconciliation team, Mahmoud Othman, a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament, and Kenneth Katzman, a specialist in Gulf affairs for the Congressional Research Service.

This episode of Inside Story aired on Monday, November 9, 2009.