New Iraqi President Urges Closer Ties with Iran
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq’s new president, Foad Masum, expressed his determination to promote bilateral ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran in all spheres.
During a meeting with Iranian Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danaifar on Friday, the Iraqi president praised close ties between the two countries and appreciated Tehran’s support for the acceleration of political process in Baghdad.
Danaifar, for his part, expressed satisfaction with the recent achievements in the process of formation of government in Iraq within the timeframe stipulated in the Iraqi constitution, Press TV reported.
The Iraqi parliament elected Masoum as federal president on Thursday by an overwhelming majority of 211 out of the 228 valid ballots cast in a secret vote.
Masoum’s election is seen as a major step in resolving the political impasse in Iraq and the formation of a new government in the country, which has been grappling with a fresh wave of Takfiri insurgency over the past weeks.
Iraq’s parliament is to meet August 5 to discuss picking a new prime minister. The Iraqi lawmakers had elected Salim al-Jabouri, a well-known moderate Sunni politician, as the country’s new parliament speaker last week.
