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Security Council congratulates brave Iraqis for voting in elections

Security Council congratulates brave Iraqis for voting in elections

Argentine Amb. César Mayoral
Congratulating the people of Iraq on Sunday's election, Security Council members today offered their continued support for the country's political transition.

"They commend the bravery of millions of Iraqis, who facing adverse conditions, exercised their right to vote," said Ambassador Cesár Mayoral of Argentina, the President of the 15-member body for January.

The members welcomed yesterday's balloting, calling it a "positive step in the political development of Iraq," he added in a press statement.

"As the Secretary-General [Kofi Annan] has said, the success of the elections augurs well for the transitional process," Ambassador Mayoral said, noting that the next phase will see the just-elected Transitional National Assembly draft a permanent constitution, which is expected to be put to a referendum in October.

He added that members welcomed recent statements from Iraqi leaders stressing the importance of reconciliation and national unity.

The statement also expressed the Council members' appreciation for the efforts of the Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (IECI), the thousands of Iraqi poll workers and election observers, as well as the advice and support given to the Iraqis by UN officials and international observers.