UNITED NATIONS, September 9 (RIA Novosti) - After a new government was announced in Iraq, with an eye toward fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday congratulated Haider Abadi on his confirmation as the country's Prime Minister.
“At this challenging moment for Iraq and the region, today's decision by the Iraqi Council of Representatives is a positive step towards political stability and peace in the country,” Ban said.
On two positions that remain unfilled, Ban said that “UN calls on all Iraqi political leaders to build on the current momentum of collaboration to ensure that a decision is made without delay on the pending appointments of Minister of Defense and Minister of Interior.”
Given advances by ISIL, these two positions are particularly important. The UN on Monday said Ban “hopes that the ministerial program approved today will be implemented in a timely manner, taking into account the needs of all Iraqi communities.”
Ban concluded by saying “the United Nations looks forward to working with the new Government of Iraq in its efforts to serve all Iraq's communities while confronting major challenges.”
Earlier on Monday, Iraqi parliament has approved the appointment of new members of the cabinet of ministers, headed by Prime Minister Haider Abadi.
Abadi has appointed almost the entire cabinet; only the positions of the Interior Minister and Defense Minister remain vacant. Names of the new heads of these departments will be revealed later this week.
