Thursday, April 01, 2010UN backs poll results in Iraq
UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council last night called on all political parties to respect Iraq's election results and the choices of the Iraqi people.
The UN's most powerful body also urged the country's political leaders "to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions".
As the council issued its statement, political manoeuvering intensified following last Friday's release of election results that gave a coalition led by secular challenger Ayad Allawi, a Shi'ite who drew on deep Sunni support, a two-seat lead over a bloc led by Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.
The prime minister has called for a recount and his bloc has submitted legal complaints.
Al Maliki's strategy suggests he is prepared for a long and bitter fight to hold on to power, even if it alienates the country's Sunni community and risks new sectarian warfare.
Efforts to calm sectarian tensions had begun to bear fruit three years after the US troop surge, but a resurgence of major violence would complicate US plans to withdraw all its forces from Iraq by the end of next year.
The Security Council made clear its support for the results of the March 7 parliamentary vote, congratulating the people and government of Iraq for holding a "successful election".
It welcomed Friday's announcement of the provisional results by the Independent High Electoral Commission, saying it looks forward to certification by the Supreme Court.
Security Council members noted the findings of international and independent Iraqi observers "who affirmed their confidence in the overall integrity of the election".
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=274591
UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council last night called on all political parties to respect Iraq's election results and the choices of the Iraqi people.
The UN's most powerful body also urged the country's political leaders "to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions".
As the council issued its statement, political manoeuvering intensified following last Friday's release of election results that gave a coalition led by secular challenger Ayad Allawi, a Shi'ite who drew on deep Sunni support, a two-seat lead over a bloc led by Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki.
The prime minister has called for a recount and his bloc has submitted legal complaints.
Al Maliki's strategy suggests he is prepared for a long and bitter fight to hold on to power, even if it alienates the country's Sunni community and risks new sectarian warfare.
Efforts to calm sectarian tensions had begun to bear fruit three years after the US troop surge, but a resurgence of major violence would complicate US plans to withdraw all its forces from Iraq by the end of next year.
The Security Council made clear its support for the results of the March 7 parliamentary vote, congratulating the people and government of Iraq for holding a "successful election".
It welcomed Friday's announcement of the provisional results by the Independent High Electoral Commission, saying it looks forward to certification by the Supreme Court.
Security Council members noted the findings of international and independent Iraqi observers "who affirmed their confidence in the overall integrity of the election".
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=274591
