Iraq's general election in January was thrown into doubt on Monday, when the war-torn country's presidential council demanded more clout be given to minorities and nationals living abroad.

Iraq's parliament ended weeks of debate on Sunday and passed a long-delayed law paving the way for the planned January election to go forward, sidestepping a crisis that could have delayed the US troop withdrawal.

Pressure mounted on Sunday as Iraqi leaders prepared to meet to try to end a deadlock over a stalled election law amid growing concerns that the country's January polls will have to be delayed.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday that 90 percent of foreign terrorists who infiltrate Iraq did so via Syria, a charge likely to worsen already fractured relations between the neighbouring states.

Iraq's prime minister says the country's security forces have been tested and have shown they are ready to take over from US. forces.