Iran welcomes new Iraqi government

Iran has welcomed the vote of confidence to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's national unity cabinet after nine months of political deadlock, Press TV reported.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast, in a statement on Wednesday, called the approval of the new national unity government by Iraqi parliament "an important step forward in the Iraqi politics."

Iran is ready to provide assistance to Iraqis, he said, adding "Iran will stand by Iraq's people and government."

Mehmanparast also expressed hope that the new development would bring more stability and security for the Iraqi people.

On Tuesday, Iraq's parliament approved three deputy prime ministers and 31 ministerial candidates nominated by Maliki, paving the way for the formation of a new government.

The new cabinet held its first meeting on Wednesday, a day after lawmakers approved Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister for his second term.

During the meeting, Maliki urged his newly approved cabinet to work harder to fight the dire consequences of months of political deadlock in the country.

Calling on his ministers to present their agenda quickly, Maliki said that the formation of the new Iraqi government nine months after inconclusive elections has seriously delayed the process of rebuilding the country after years of war.

"Difficult tasks require exceptional effort. Governments in stable countries may not need what we need in Iraq and what was needed in the previous phase may not be needed as much in this phase," the Iraqi prime minister said during the first meeting of the new cabinet.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my ministers taking their posts that fast because what is required from us, from our brothers, the ministers, is to present their agenda, what they want to do," he added.

Maliki also defined "security, public services, especially electricity, and relations with neighboring countries" as his government's top priorities.

Key ministries of interior, defense and national security have also remained unfilled and for the moment, the Iraqi prime minister will head these three ministries himself.

The three portfolios are responsible for assuring Iraq's security following the planned 2011 US troops' pullout.

Iraq had been left without a government since the inconclusive parliamentary elections in March, which did not give any of the electoral slates the parliamentary majority they required to name a new cabinet.

Maliki's State of Law coalition won 89 seats in the elections on the heels of former Iraqi Premier Iyad Allawi's al-Iraqiya bloc, which secured 91 seats.

Iraqi politicians finally reached a power-sharing agreement in November.