Iran Sees Election of New Iraqi President as "Positive Step"

Afkham on Thursday congratulated the appointment of Foad Masoum as Iraq’s new president, and said it was "a positive and valuable step" within the framework of Iraq’s political process.

She said Iraq’s simultaneous attention to fighting terrorism and the political process highlights the Iraqis’ vigilance regarding the country’s present conditions and the need for adoption of comprehensive measures to put the current crisis behind.

Afkham further reiterated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for Iraq's war on terrorism.

Iraq's parliament convened on Thursday to vote for a new president.

Over 90 candidates were running for the post. The Kurdistani Alliance had nominated Foad Masum, as its candidate for the president post.

Masoum, who was born in 1938 and became the first prime minister of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region in 1992, has managed to edge his rival former Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh during a vote by Kurdish MPs.

Based on the power-sharing agreement in Iraq, the position of federal president goes to the Kurds.

Masoum will replace President Jalal Talabani's whose term is set to expire.

Talabani, who suffered a stroke in late 2012, returned to the country on Saturday after more than 18 months abroad for medical treatment.

The election of the new president was the latest step in the formation of a new government after last week’s election of Salim al-Jabouri as the speaker of Iraq's parliament.