Those who held the rank of major or below were allowed to return to the military if qualified.
The Bush administration initially had promoted de-Baathification as a worthy and necessary goal, but later claimed that Iraqi authorities went beyond even what the US had contemplated to keep Saddam's supporters out of important jobs.
With the Sunni insurgency raging and political leaders making little progress in reconciliation, the US switched positions and urged the dismantling of de-Baathification laws.
Later, enacting and implementing legislation reinstating the fired Baath supporters became one of 18 so-called benchmark issues the US sought as measures for progress in national reconciliation.
The legislation can become law only when approved by Iraq's presidential council.
The council, comprised of Iraq's president and two vice presidents, is expected to ratify the measure.
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