Blair hails Iraqi elections
Tony Blair has hailed what he described as the birth of democracy in Iraq.
Speaking from Downing Street after the historic elections were declared a “success” by the electoral commission, Mr Blair praised the Iraqi people for their “enthusiasm” and “simple determination” in defying the terrorists.
Democracy in Iraq was “a blow right to the heart of the global terrorism”, he said.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to Britain’s armed forces, who the nation owed an “immense debt of gratitude”.
“This is the true face of the British Army: brave, committed, professional the world over, doing an extraordinary job on behalf of their country,” he said.
Mr Blair gave special mention to the RAF military personnel feared dead after a transport plane crashed in Iraq over the weekend.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives earlier today,” he said. “They can be so proud of what their loved ones accomplished. This country and the wider world, will never forget them.”
Turnout in Iraq was high with over eight million Iraqis going to the polls, despite threats from militant groups.
Electoral commission officer Adel Lami told journalists he estimated 72 per cent of Iraqis had voted for the new 275-member national assembly.
Iraqi expatriates in the UK voted at three main polling stations in London, Manchester and Glasgow over the last three days. However, there were problems with only around 30,000 of the estimated 150,000 Iraqis in Britain eligible to vote turning out.
