The wish that "they may successfully face the huge challenges that await Iraq" and "a homage to the courage and determination that the Iraqi people has shown, despite endless violence" have been expressed today in a statement read by its spokesman, the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, after the announcement that the new Iraqi government has been formed. As he sent his congratulations to the Prime Minister Al-Maliki and to the members of the first constitutionally-elected Iraqi government, Annan says he hopes "the broad-based government will be completed as soon as possible, so that it can quickly face the key issues of national reconciliation, security, the constitutional state, the respect of human rights, reconstruction and development". At the same time, he invites the Iraqi people "not to miss the opportunity offered by the new government to build the foundations of a united, peaceful and prosperous Iraq". On his part, Annan "confirms the UN’s commitment to fully support the new government and the Iraqi people in compliance with the terms of his appointment pursuant to Resolution 1546 of the Security Council".
