Biden congratulates new Iraqi President

WASHINGTON, July 25 (KUNA) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden called Thursday Iraq's President Fuad Masum to congratulate him on his selection and swearing-in as Iraq's President. The Office of the Vice President said in a statement that Biden and Masum "agreed on the need for Iraqis to unite to address the threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant." "They agreed on the importance of forming a new Iraqi government as quickly as possible and working to arrive at an agreed-upon roadmap for governance," it added.
For his part, Masum "expressed the importance of restoring trust and confidence among all of Iraq's communities and continuing to rebuild Iraq's relations in the region." "The Vice President made clear that the United States remains committed to assist Iraq in these efforts consistent with the Strategic Framework Agreement," the statement affirmed. (end) si.rk