(BBC) -- The Iraqi parliament has approved a crucial election law ahead of national polls due in January 2010.

The reform was approved by 141 of 196 lawmakers present. The UN had warned it could not guarantee to endorse the poll if the bill had not been passed.

There have been fears that delaying the election could undo recent progress towards greater stability.

The parliamentary poll is seen as crucial to democracy in Iraq, and could impact on the US plan for a pullout.

The electoral law has to be in place at least 90 days before voting.

MPs had been deadlocked on a range of issues - including how candidates are listed on ballot papers and the distribution of seats in the ethnically divided, oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

There have been a number of deadly attacks across Iraq in recent weeks.

Correspondents say violence may intensify as militant groups attempt to destabilise Iraq in the run-up to the election.