Iraq’s leadersshould work towards ‘inclusive Govt'

Security Council calls on Iraq’s leaders to work towards ‘inclusive Government’

Welcoming the recent announcement of election results for Iraq’s Council of Representatives, the Security Council today congratulated the Iraqi people for their commitment to a peaceful political process, and called on political leaders to work towards a fully inclusive government.

Reading out a statement during a formal meeting, Council President for this month, John Bolton of the United States, said the 15 members had been particularly encouraged that political parties representing all of Iraq's communities had participated in the ballot.

“The Security Council stresses the importance of inclusiveness, national dialogue and unity as Iraq’s political development moves forward,” Mr. Bolton said.

“The Council calls on Iraq’s political leaders to work with resolve towards the formation of a fully inclusive Government, which will strive to build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic and united Iraq,” he added.

Mr. Bolton said that the Security Council unanimously condemned acts of terrorism in Iraq and said such violence should not be allowed to disrupt the country’s political and economic progress.

The Council President also said that the members had commended the United Nations for successfully assisting election preparations and urged the UN to play the “fullest possible role in Iraq.” The Security Council also called on other international actors, particularly Iraq’s neighbours, to conform to relevant Security Council resolutions and “consider also how they can reinforce their contribution at this important time.”

“The Security Council reaffirms its support for a federal, democratic, pluralist and unified Iraq, in which there is full respect for human rights,” the Council President concluded.

The results of the 15 December national vote in Iraq were announced by the Independent Electoral Commission last Friday and reacting to it, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan paid tribute to the “courageous commitment of the Iraqi people to the democratic process.”

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