Clinton praises Iraq political agreement as a "milestone"

Nov 12, 2010, 17:44 GMT

Washington - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Friday praised Iraq's political leaders for reaching an agreement on a government that includes all of the countries ethnic and religious groups.

The agreement forged Thursday that ended months of a politcal stalemate 'is a milestone in the emergence of the new Iraq and it is a testament to the determination of the Iraqi people to build their own democracy, a goal only they can achieve,' Clinton said in a statement.

Iraqi politics had been at a standoff since the disputed outcome of the March 7 elections that did not present a clear victor in what was seen as a vote along Sunni and Shiite lines.

The deal returns Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki while his chief rival in the election, Iyad Allawi was slated to head a newly created national council on strategy and security designed to serve as check on the government.

'This agreement ensures meaningful representation for the election winners, encompassing all of Iraqs ethnic and sectarian communities,' Clinton said.

The agreement, however, remains fragile. Allawi's Iraqiya bloc walked out of parliament Thursday in a symbolic protest of al-Maliki.

A US official said the political agreement shows Iraqis have chosen politics to resolve differences rather than resort to violence. Michael Corbin, the deputy assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, also acknowledged that Iraq's political leaders will still face challenges as they move forward with the arrangement.

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