Biden congratulates nominating Ebadi for PM post

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Monday called Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Ebadi, congratulating him on his nomination to form a new government.

Ebadi expressed his intent to move expeditiously to form a ” broad-based, inclusive” government capable of countering the threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the White House said.

Iraqi President Fuad Masoum on Monday asked Ebadi, deputy speaker of the Parliament, to form the next government. The politicians allied to outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday rejected Ebadi, saying he is not representing them and has no legitimacy.

Biden relayed U.S. President Barack Obama’s congratulations and restated his commitment to fully support a new and inclusive Iraqi government, particularly in its fight against ISIL, the White House said in a statement.

The two leaders also discussed practical steps towards fully activating the bilateral Strategic Framework Agreement in all of its fields, including economic, diplomatic, and security cooperation, according to the statement.

They agreed to stay in regular communication as Iraq’s government formation process proceeds, it added. /End/