Iraqi Baath law comes into effect

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A measure allowing former members of Saddam Hussein's Baath party to return to public life in Iraq has become law.

The legislation was passed by the Iraqi parliament last month, but needed final approval by the country's presidency council before coming into effect.

The council approved the law despite objections by one of its three members, Sunni Vice-President Tariq Hashemi.

He said the law would result in people being forced out of their jobs to make way for returning former Baathists.

US President George W Bush last month praised the law as an important step towards national reconciliation in Iraq.

The Baath party, formed mainly from Iraq's Sunni minority, was declared illegal after the US-led invasion of the country in 2003.