With deadlock broken, Ban calls for swift formation of Iraqi government

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today welcomed the “major step forward” taken with the agreement reached after months of deadlock on the formation of a new Iraqi government, and called on the country’s leaders to swiftly conclude the process.

“He commends all political parties and their leaders for reaching a compromise that will serve the collective interest of the Iraqi people,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General calls on Iraqi leaders to continue demonstrating the same spirit of partnership in moving swiftly to conclude the formation of a new government,” the statement added.

Mr. Ban called the agreement, which follows eight months of deadlock, a “major step forward in the country’s democratic process.”

He congratulated President Jalal Talabani on his re-election, and welcomed the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the Parliament, known as the Council of Representatives, and the nomination of the Prime Minister-designate, Nuri al-Maliki.

The Security Council, in a press statement, welcomed the “inclusive political process and representative outcome” and encouraged Iraq’s leaders to rededicate themselves to the pursuit of national reconciliation.

Negotiations on the formation of the government have been going on since the holding of parliamentary elections in March.

At least 12 million people cast their votes and more than 6,000 candidates took part in the polls, in which the party headed by Iyad Allawi, a former prime minister, received more votes than the coalition led by Mr. al-Maliki in the 325-member Council of Representatives.