Nov. 8 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama said Iraq achieved a breakthrough with a new election law that will help keep the U.S. on schedule to withdraw troops next year.

Iraqi lawmakers today approved a law to govern the country’s general election scheduled for 2010, Agence France- Presse said, citing the parliament’s vice president, Khaled al- Attiya.

“This is an important milestone as the Iraqi people continue to take responsibility for their future,” Obama said today in a statement in the White House Rose Garden. He said approval of the law “paves the way for national elections early next year.”

Late last month, twin suicide car bombings targeting government buildings in central Baghdad killed more than 130 people and wounded hundreds more in the worst attack in Iraq this year.

Even with continued attacks, Obama said, approval of the election will help send a signal that Iraq is ready to govern itself.

“Today’s step forward is another reminder that these enemies of the Iraqi people will fail,” Obama said.

Political progress “can bring lasting peace and unity to Iraq and allow for the orderly and responsible transition of American combat troops out of Iraq by next September,” he said.

Vice President Joe Biden said in a statement that the law’s passage by Iraq’s Council of Representatives “will allow for parliamentary elections in January 2010, as mandated under the Iraqi constitution.”

Biden added: “These elections will be a critical step forward in advancing national unity and forming an inclusive government.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Roger Runningen in Washington at rrunningen@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 8, 2009 15:15 EST