World leaders unite in praise of Iraqi elections

Prime Minister Tony Blair, President George W. Bush and UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan are among those who have praised yesterday's elections in Iraq.

President Bush said that the Iraq people had made the elections a "resounding success". He said: "In great numbers, and under great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy. By participating in free elections, the Iraqi people have firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists. They have refused to be intimidated by thugs and assassins.

The Prime Minister said that "the force of freedom" had been felt throughout Iraq as a result of the election. He said: "It was moving and humbling for those of us lucky to live in countries where we take democracy for granted, to see the simple determination and clear-sighted courage of millions of Iraqis exercising the right to vote for the first time in their lives. A democratic Iraq is not just a giant step forward for Iraq itself; it is a blow right at the heart of the global terrorism that seeks destruction not just in Iraq but in Britain and every major country in the world."

The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, also praised the "courage of the Iraqi people".

NATO Secretary-General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, said that the elections should help to "lay the foundation for a brighter future for the country – a future of increasing peace and security as a full part of the international family of nations."

Speaking after casting his vote in the elections, Iraqi Vice President Ibrahim Jafari, said: "Iraqis have proved today that the strength of their votes are more powerful than the strength or the effects of bullets or terrorism."

However, the elections were marred by a series of suicide bomb attacks, which killed around 36 people. In spite of the violence, the voter turnout was higher than expected, at around eight million – more than 60% of those who had registered. Thousands of Iraqi expatriates also voted in countries around the world, including the UK.

The first results of the election for the Transitional National Assembly are expected in around six days, although the final results could take at least ten days and perhaps longer. The election will pave the way for the 275-member assembly to draft a permanent constitution, which is expected to be put to a referendum in October.

(KMcA/SP)