President Barack Obama on Tuesday
praised Iraqi leaders for agreeing to form a new government after months of
political turmoil, saying the move represents a "major step forward in
advancing national unity."
Obama, in a statement, said the new government "is a clear rejection of
the efforts by extremists to spur sectarian division." He also said,
"Yet again, the Iraqi people and their elected representatives have
demonstrated their commitment to working through a democratic process to
resolve their differences and shape Iraq's future."
Iraq's parliament approved a second term for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and
his partial cabinet line-up. The parliament also approved posts for Maliki's
rivals, including Ayad Allawi.
Iraq was politically gridlocked for nearly a year after parliamentary polls in
March were inconclusive. The Obama administration has pointed to the political
fighting as a positive sign, saying it shows the country has started to move
beyond sectarian violence toward democracy.
Obama marked the end of combat operations in Iraq in August, though thousands
of U.S. troops are still in the country and will be until at least the end of
2011.
Obama vowed to continue "to strengthen our long-term partnership with
Iraq's people and leaders as they build a prosperous and peaceful nation that
is fully integrated into the region and international community.