Welcome to the new Iraqi government

International welcome to the formation of the Iraqi government chaired by Ibrahim al-Jaafari has continued after the Interim Iraqi parliament vowed confidence to this government at great majority.

The US President George W. Bush welcomed the government and stressed the US continued support of the march of democracy in Iraq. In a statement issued by the White House, Bush said "I join all the Americans to congratulate all the new Iraqi leaders and express to them greetings for their success in serving their countries inside the new government."

The German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder congratulated the Iraqi prime minister. He expressed in a cable of congratulations to al-Jaafari his country's determination to continue supporting Iraq and sincere cooperation with it.

The European Union welcomed the new government. Its spokeswoman Emma Edwin expressed hope that nearby meetings will be held with al-Jaafari in order to discuss the consolidation of relations between the two sides and making talks on ways of helping in rebuilding Iraq.

Turkey also welcomed al-Jaafari government and the Turkish foreign ministry expressed in a statement its hope that the new government will constitute a step towards security and stability in the country.