UN council calls on Iraqi parties to respect election results and avoid inflammatory rhetoric

Security Council backs Iraq election results

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday called on all political parties to respect Iraq’s election results and the choices of the Iraqi people.

The U.N.’s most powerful body also urged the country’s political leaders “to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and actions.”

As the council issued its statement, political maneuvering intensified following last Friday’s release of election results that gave a coalition led by secular challenger Ayad Allawi, a Shiite who drew on deep Sunni support, a two-seat lead over a bloc led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The prime minister has called for a recount and his bloc has submitted legal complaints.

Al-Maliki’s strategy suggests he is prepared for a long and bitter fight to hold on to power, even if it alienates the country’s Sunni community and risks new sectarian warfare.

Efforts to calm sectarian tensions had begun to bear fruit three years after the U.S. troop surge, but a resurgence of major violence would complicate U.S. plans to withdraw all its forces from Iraq by the end of next year.

The Security Council made clear its support for the results of the March 7 parliamentary vote, congratulating the people and government of Iraq for holding a “successful election.”

It welcomed Friday’s announcement of the provisional results by the Independent High Electoral Commission, saying it looks forward to certification by the Supreme Court.

Security Council members noted the findings of international and independent Iraqi observers “who affirmed their confidence in the overall integrity of the election.”

“The members of the Security Council look forward to the formation of the new government in a spirit of cooperation and respect for national unity,” the statement said.

The council commended the electoral support by the U.N. Mission in Iraq and noted the assistance provided by Iraqi domestic observers, civil society organizations and the international community including the European Union, Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.