Ambassador Faily Statement on Formation of New Iraqi Government

Washington, DC (September 8, 2014) - Ambassador Lukman Faily today released the following statement about the new unity government formed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi:

“In April, millions of our countrymen and women went to the polls to elect their representatives in Parliament in the face of threats and violence perpetuated by terrorists and extremists. Since then, the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has swept into the country and killed thousands of innocent Iraqis.

“Today, Parliament voted overwhelmingly for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s broad-based, unity government in Baghdad drawn from all segments of Iraqi society. This government will seek to confront the life-and-death challenges facing Iraq and to combat terrorist groups that seek to divide our people. The new cabinet is committed to uniting our people, eradicating ISIL, and building a safe, secure and prosperous Iraq.

“ISIL poses an existential threat to Iraq. It is a terrorist organization that will stop at nothing in its efforts to cleanse Iraq, Syria and the world of people who do not pledge allegiance to their warped interpretation of Islam.

“In order to unify our nation in the face of this existential threat, Iraq’s political leaders, led by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, rose above party political interests to form a government that represents all Iraqis, includes all political parties represented in the Parliament, and reflects the support expressed for each party by Iraq’s voters in April.

“New leaders have emerged to assume responsibilities in key ministries and government positions. Now the hard work begins of ensuring that the government delivers for our nation and is accountable to all Iraqis. The Prime Minister has announced a series of confidence-building measures to translate this guiding principle into action.

“The Prime Minister and his government have also committed to defeating ISIL and protecting Iraqis from violent extremists. We look forward to working with the international community and our neighbors in the continuing struggle against the terrorists who threaten us all.”