US President Barack Obama Tuesday congratulated Iraq after parliament endorsed a new government, saying the move was a "significant" historic moment and represented a rejection of extremism. "Today's vote in the Council of Representatives is a significant moment in Iraq's history and a major step forward in advancing national unity," Obama said in a written statement.
"I congratulate Iraq's political leaders, the members of the Council of Representatives, and the Iraqi people on the formation of a new government of national partnership." Obama said that the Iraqi people and elected representatives had shown, with the long-delayed move after elections in March, that they were committed to democratic means to ease differences and shape Iraq's future.
"Their decision to form an inclusive partnership government is a clear rejection of the efforts by extremists to spur sectarian division," he said. "Iraq faces important challenges, but the Iraqi people can also seize a future of opportunity.