08 March, 2010Obama says US has no particular candidate for Iraqi PM
President Barack Obama has said that the Unites States has no particular candidates and coalitions in the process of forming the Iraqi government and urged Iraqi authorities to consider all electoral complaints and investigate them.
"Today, the people of Iraq went to the polls to choose their leaders in Iraqs second national election. By any measure, this was an important milestone in Iraqi history-Todays voting makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq", said Obama in remarks at the White House on Sunday.
"There were some incidents of violence, as al Qaeda in Iraq and other extremists tried to disrupt Iraqs progress by murdering innocent Iraqis who were exercising their democratic rights. But overall, the level of security and the prevention of destabilizing attacks speaks to the growing capability and professionalism of Iraqi Security Forces, which took the lead in providing protection at the polls", he added.
The US President said his "mindful, however, that todays voting is the beginning and not the end of a long electoral and constitutional process.
The ballots must be counted. Complaints must be heard, and Iraq -- with the support of the United Nations -- has a process in place to investigate and adjudicate any allegations of fraud". "A parliament must be seated, leaders must be chosen, and a new government must be formed. All of these important steps will take time -- not weeks, but months. In this process, the United States does not support particular candidates or coalitions. We support the right of the Iraqi people to choose their own leaders", noted Obama. "But like any sovereign, independent nation, Iraq must be free to chart its own course.
No one should seek to influence, exploit, or disrupt this period of transition. Now is the time for every neighbor and nation to respect Iraqs sovereignty and territorial integrity", he added. Obama said "a new Iraqi government will face important decisions about Iraqs future. But as todays voting demonstrates, the Iraq people want disagreements to be debated and decided through a political process that provides security and prosperity for all Iraqis. And as they go forward, the Iraqi people must know that the United States will fulfill its obligations". He mentioned that Vice President Joe Biden "will continue to play a leading role" and added that "on behalf of the American people, I congratulate the Iraqi people on their courage throughout this historic election".
"Today, in the face of violence from those who would only destroy, Iraqis took a step forward in the hard work of building up their country. The United States will continue to help them in that effort as we responsibly end this war, and support the Iraqi people as they take control of their future", concluded Obama.
Kuwait News Agency -
