SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF 15 DECEMBER IRAQ ELECTION, PAYS TRIBUTE TO COURAGE, DETERMINATION OF IRAQI PEOPLE

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF 15 DECEMBER IRAQ ELECTION,

PAYS TRIBUTE TO COURAGE, DETERMINATION OF IRAQI PEOPLE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the announcement by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) of the preliminary results of the 15 December election.  The Secretary-General pays tribute to the courage and determination of the Iraqi people for participating in large numbers in this national election.

Once the final results are announced, the Secretary-General calls upon all Iraqi political parties to come together in a spirit of national reconciliation to form an inclusive and fully representative Government that will serve all the Iraqi people.

The Secretary-General is pleased that the United Nations has been able to support the IECI in conducting the two national elections and constitutional referendum of the past year under challenging circumstances.  The United Nations remains fully committed to implementing its mandate under Security Council resolution 1546 (2004) in support of the Iraqi people in their efforts to build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic and united Iraq.

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For information media • not an official record