Ammar al-Hakim vows to continue boosting national solidarity among Iraqis

BAGHDAD /  IraqiNews.com: The new head of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, Ammar al-Hakim, asserted on Tuesday his determination to continue working on boosting the national solidarity a mong Iraqis and achieving comprehensive development in the country. Speaking at a press conference held in Baghdad after his election to succeed his father, he noted “the Arab countries have special relations with the SIIC,” stressing the importance of fostering the national solidarity among all Iraqis. “Forming the United Iraqi Alliance is an important step in the establishment of the new Iraq ,” he said. The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) on Tuesday unanimously elected Ammar al-Hakim to succeed his father, Shiite leader Abdulaziz al-Hakim, as the head of the council. During a press conference today, the council’s Central Consultative Board announced that Ammar has the necessary qualification for the post. On Aug. 26, the older Hakim passed away after physicians failed to treat a recent serious deterioration in his health in a hospital in Tehran . Hakim was the leader of the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), which comprises major Shiite parties. The bloc is the largest in the Iraqi parliament after it won the 2005 elections with 128 out of a total 275 seats. The SIIC has played a key role in the country’s political process and retained some important portfolios in the government, in addition to the vice president post, after the 2005 elections. SH (S)/SR 1