By Ray Furlong BBC Berlin correspondent

Germany's lower house of parliament has approved a new immigration bill aimed at bringing in skilled workers while protecting the country from terrorism.

This will be Germany's first immigration law, previous immigrants having largely come as guest workers.

Germany wants more professionals, particularly in science and IT

The bill was approved by an overwhelming majority of Bundestag MPs, with the German Interior Minister Otto Schily hailing it as a "victory for Germany".

Its approval effectively puts an end to four years of bitter struggle, in which the conservative opposition fought the original government proposals in both the parliament and the courts.

The bill simplifies the rules for skilled foreign workers wishing to immigrate, while also making it easier for the authorities to deport people who are suspected of supporting political violence.

The issue of terrorism came to dominate the debate over the bill, particularly after the Madrid bombings in March.

There are already more than seven million foreign nationals living in Germany, but most of them came as guest workers - not immigrants.