UN Security Council supports Iraq's parliamentary elections

Nov 16, 2009, 18:15 GMT

New York - The UN Security Council on Monday welcomed Iraq's amended electoral law which sets up parliamentary elections in January, which a UN official said signals the maturity of Iraqi democracy.

The council discussed the election plans, one in a series of democratic steps undertaken by Baghdad to consolidate its democratic reform, and it praised the amendments to the law made last week.

The council reaffirmed in a statement 'its commitment to Iraq's independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity' and emphasized 'the importance of the stability and security of Iraq for its people, the region, and the international community.'

Both the council and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged 'all political blocs and their leaders in Iraq to demonstrate true statesmanship during the election campaign and participate in a spirit of national unity.'

Ad Melkert, the UN special representative in Iraq, told the council that the electoral law will be adopted automatically on Wednesday unless the parliament rejects it.

Melkert praised the parliament's debate on the law as a 'clear example of the capacity of the political leadership to embrace sovereignty and define the process of people's representation.'

He said preparation for the parliamentary elections was underway and more than 1.5 million Iraqis have so far visited voter registration centres throughout the country.

Melkert is heading the UN Mission in Iraq, which is tasked to assist the Baghdad government in various programmes from the economy to democratic reform. The UN mission is assisted by a team of 20 international technical advisers for the elections.

The parliamentary elections in January will mark the end of the first full term of a freely-elected parliament in Iraqi history.

'It has been a period of great challenges and achievements,' Melkert said, adding that the Iraqis have demonstrated impressive energy and optimism inside and outside the government to build a better future for their country.