Final results approval important step in the right direction – U.S. embassy

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The U.S. embassy in Baghdad welcomed on Tuesday the Federal Court’s decision to approve the final results of the parliamentary elections, considering it as an important step in the right direction. “Tuesday’s court ruling is an important step in the right direction as Iraq undertakes what will be a historic and peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another,” the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said in a statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “Now is the time for all political leaders to come together to put the interests of the Iraqi people foremost in their negotiations over the makeup of the new government,” it added. Iraq‘s Federal Supreme Court on Tuesday approved the final results of the country’s March 7 general election, with the exception of two winning candidates from the 325-member parliament. In a televised ruling broadcast live from Baghdad, the head of the country’s Supreme Jurisdiction Council, Madhat al-Mahmoud, declared that the court “has officially ratified the final results of the elections.” After months of delay, the ratification should help speed up the negotiations to form a new government. SH (P) 1