U.S. President congratulates Iraq for Parliament’s voting on new government:

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: U.S. President Barack Obama has congratulated the Iraqi people and their new government on the occasion of the Parliament’s voting on the government, according to a statement by the Press Secretary of the U.S. White House on Wednesday, copy of which landed in IraqiNews.com news agency. “The Iraqi Parliament’s voting on the new government had been an important moment in the history of Iraq and a main step forward towards strengthening of (Iraq‘s) national unity,” the statement quoted Obama as saying,” congratulating “Iraq‘s political leaders, Members of Parliament and the Iraqi people, on occasion of the formation of the new government.” Obama said: “The Iraqi people and their elected representatives have expressed their commitment to act through the democratic process to overcome their differences and draw the future of Iraq, as well as their decision to form a government of national partnership.” “Iraq is facing important challenges and the Iraqi people can achieve a bright future,” President Obama said, adding that “the United States shall continue strengthening its long-term partnership with the Iraqi people and their leaders, striving to build an emerging and peaceful nation, that becomes fully integrated with the Region and the International Community.” Prime Minister Designate, Nouri al-Maliki, had presented his new cabinet to the Iraqi Parliament on Tuesday, comprising 41 ministers, whilst he kept the Interior, Defence and Security Ministries for him, on ‘acting basis,’ pending the assignment of the original ministers. SKH 48