Obama Touts New Iraqi Prime Minster: 'Promising Step Forward'

Obama Touts New Iraqi Prime Minster: 'Promising Step Forward'

Monday from the site of his vacation on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, President Barack Obama made a statement in support of Iraqi President Fuad Masum tapping Deputy Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to become the new head of state.

“Today Iraq took a promising step forward in this critical effort,” Obama said. “Last month the Iraqi people named a new president. today the president named a new prime minister designate. Under the Iraqi constitution, this is an important step towards forming a new government that can unite Iraq’s different communities. Earlier today Vice President Biden and I called dr. Abadi to congratulation him and to urge him to form a new cabinet as quickly as possible, one that’s inclusive of all Iraqis and one that represents all Iraqis.” 

“I pledged our support to him as well as to the president and the speaker as they work together to form this government,” he continued. “Meanwhile, I urged all Iraqi political leaders to work peacefully through the political process in the days ahead. This new Iraqi leadership has a difficult task. It has to regain the confidence of its citizens by governing inclusively and by taking steps to demonstrate its resolve. The United States stands ready to support a government that addresses the needs and grievances of all Iraqi people.”

Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN

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