Region | Iraq
Obama congratulates Iraqis on national vote
The president praised the Iraqi government for how it conducted the polls and Iraq's security forces for manning tens of thousands of voting booths and polling stations across the war-torn nation.
- AP
- Published: 21:24 March 7, 2010
Washington: President Barack Obama is congratulating Iraqis for turning out for elections despite "acts of violence" aimed at discouraging them from participating.
Sunday's vote was Iraq's second national election since the US-led invasion in 2003.
The election will shape the next parliament and the choice of prime minister.
Obama says Americans mourn the loss of life and "honour the courage and resilience" of Iraqis who "defied threats to advance their democracy."
The president praises the government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki and Iraqi security forces for preventing more widespread attacks.
The US plans to remove all combat forces by August 31, and all remaining troops by the end of 2011.
The president praised the Iraqi government for how it conducted the polls and Iraq's security forces for manning tens of thousands of voting booths and polling stations across the war-torn nation.
"I have great respect for the millions of Iraqis who refused to be deterred by acts of violence, and who exercised their right to vote today," he said.
"Their participation demonstrates that the Iraqi people have chosen to shape their future through the political process."
The United States hopes the election will bolster Iraq's democracy, making it a beacon in a region where free and fair elections are the exception, and pave the way for a smooth pullout of American troops.
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