Iraq’s local elections an ‘important step’: Obama

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama Saturday congratulated Iraqis on their ’significant’ and peaceful election of local officials, calling it an ‘important step’ as the country takes control of its future.

Obama said that Iraq’s Electoral Commission had ‘performed professionally under difficult circumstances,’ with vital assistance from the United Nations, and from Iraqi police and military forces who ‘helped secure the polling sites and protected voters as they cast their ballots’.

‘This important step forward should continue the process of Iraqis taking responsibility for their future,’ Obama said in a statement.