France welcomes election of Iraqi Parliament President

France on Wednesday praised the election of Salim Al-Joubouri as President of the Iraqi Parliament, as well as that of Haydar Al-Abadi and Arab Mohammad Ali as first and second vice-presidents of the Baghdad Assembly, respectively.

“This is an important step in the resumption of the democratic and political process, which is indispensable to tackle the challenges Iraq is facing,” a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

The statement underlined that “only an inclusive political solution, acceptable to all components of the Iraqi population, will allow an exit from the current crisis.” Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on French radio earlier Wednesday that Iraq should now move on to getting a new President and Prime Minister.