The Iraqi Parliament passed a bill on Saturday to allow some former officials from Saddam Hussein’s party to apply for government positions, in the first of the so-called political benchmark measures to pass after months of American pressure for progress.

The measure, which is expected to be approved to become law by the presidential council, was described by its backers as opening the door for the reinstatement of thousands of low-level Baath Party members barred from office after the 2003 American invasion.

The Bush administration had urged the Iraqi government to pass such a measure to help mend the deep rifts between Sunni Arabs who used to control the government under Saddam Hussein and the Shiites who now dominate politics in Iraq.

The passing of this key piece of legislation proves that slowly but surely the political benchmarks are atching up to the improved security situation.