Iranian President Lauds Successful Parliamentary Elections in Iraq


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani described the recent parliamentary elections in Iraq as “successful” and said the country’s nation and government gave a firm response to the ill-wishers.

“We are pleased that while the terrorists tried to portray Iraq’s atmosphere as insecure, the country’s nation and government took a brave step and gave a firm response to the ill-wishers and enemies of their (Iraqis) interests and proved that they will not be affected by their threats,” Rouhani said during a meeting with head of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council Medhat al-Mahmoud in Tehran on Sunday.

Rouhani further emphasized that the parliamentary elections showed that democracy has been institutionalized in Iraq.

On April 30, Iraq held its parliamentary election with millions of Iraqis went to the polls braving threats of bomb attacks by the al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Twenty million Iraqis were eligible to vote in the polls. According to the country’s Election Commission, the turnout was 60 percent.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian president expressed concern that terrorism has turned into a main problem in the region, and called on regional countries to promote unity in order to establish peace and security in the region.

During the meeting, The Iraqi judicial official, for his part, attached great significance to Iran’s positive role in maintaining and promoting regional stability, peace and security.

He also said that terrorists failed to sabotage the parliamentary elections in Iraq, adding that the turnout clearly showed that the Iraqi people are interested in democracy.