Iraq election set for Jan. 21 after new law passes

* Date to be confirmed by presidential council

* Parliament to have more seats to reflect bigger population

BAGHDAD, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Iraqis will vote in a general election on Jan. 21 now that parliament has passed a law needed for a vote to take place, the head of the country's electoral commission said on Monday.

The assembly ended weeks of disagreement about the fate of the disputed city of Kirkuk to pass the electoral law on Sunday. [ID:nL8179469]

The ballot was originally meant to take place on Jan. 16 but electoral authorities said the delay in passing the law had made it impossible to organise it by then.

Faraj al-Haidari, head of the electoral commission, told Reuters the new date of Jan. 21 needed to be approved by the presidency council of President Jalal Talabani and two vice-presidents.

"I don't think that date will change," he said.

Prolonged arguing over the law had cast doubt on the U.S. military's plans to end combat operations in Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, ahead of a full withdrawal by the end of 2011.