national elections

Ahead of national elections in March, residents of Anbar province say they're disillusioned with the current government and look back on the late Saddam Hussein with nostalgia.

For all of his shortcomings, they say Saddam was a leader who inspired fear and respect.

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Iraqi lawmakers have passed a long-awaited measure that clears the way for national elections to be held in late February.

The White House hailed the move, in part because the election delay had threatened to complicate U.S. plans to start withdrawing American combat forces.

The vote came after weeks of dispute that highlighted the country's ethnic and religious divisions.