Iran congratulates Iraq for successful holding of parliamentary elections

Tehran, May 1, IRNA – Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian early Thursday morning congratulated successful holding of Iraqi parliamentary elections to that countryˈs elites, government and nation. ˈToday the world is witness to the independent Iraqˈs move forward towards sustainable development, advancement, and security,ˈ he said in his message, referring to Iraqˈs present day conditions. Pointing to the presence of Iraqi people from all walks of life at the election polls in their county, he said that this showed full lack of popular support for terrorism in the future of Iraq. The Iranian deputy FM also said that the Tehran-Baghdad relations are strategic and at the service of sustainable regional peace, stability, and security. Iraqis cast ballots in a national election seen as a referendum on security issues that could have widespread ramifications for the unity of the region. Wednesdayˈs ballot was conducted under an intensive security dragnet, and it passed largely without incident, despite weeks of rising violence as the poll approached. However a more tangible test of the ballotˈs success will occur in the coming weeks, or maybe even months, as leaders embark on a protracted process of assembling a government from divided political blocs. The election was hailed as a nation-building step more than two years after the last US forces left the country, lauding homegrown leaders as custodians of a new democracy. The incumbent leader, Nouri al-Maliki, who is standing for a third term as prime minister, remains a frontrunner to eventually form a coalition government. He is thought highly unlikely to win a majority of seats in his own right in the 328-seat parliament, meaning difficult negotiations with rivals will inevitably follow.