Kurds reportedly agree to Kirkuk deal

I'll believe it when it's finalized, but this could be a significant breakthrough for Iraq's election law: Kurdish lawmakers have reportedly agreed to grant Kirkuk special status in the law.

The term "special status" is a reference to a U.N. proposal drafted in April. Kirkuk would be temporarily administered by both the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdish regional government in Arbil. The province would hold a referendum within five years to decide its final status.

Arabs support the proposal, because it gives the central government control over Kirkuk -- and thus its oil revenues. Kurds have previously threatened to boycott the election if special status is approved.