In a statement released by his spokesman after the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) announced the final certified results of the 15 December national vote, Mr. Annan paid tribute to the “courageous commitment of the Iraqi people to the democratic process,” citing the participation of millions of voters of all communities as well as hundreds of thousands of observers, agents and poll workers.

“The Secretary-General is encouraged that the new Parliament will be broadly representative of Iraq’s diverse communities and will include a substantial percentage of women,” his spokesman said. “At this historic moment, the Secretary-General calls on Iraq’s political leaders to work with resolve towards the early formation of a fully inclusive Government which will strive to build a peaceful, prosperous, democratic and united Iraq.”

The statement also congratulated the IECI for successfully conducting the election “under very challenging circumstances.”

The UN, which provided support to the process, “remains fully committed to assisting the Iraqi people in the forthcoming electoral programme” this year, the spokesman said.