US VP Pence, Iraqi PM discuss May 12 parliamentary election

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, June 25 (KUNA) -- US Vice President Mike Pence spoke Monday with Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi of Iraq to discuss the country's May 12 parliamentary election results, the White House said.
The leaders discussed progress on certifying the May 12th election and working to form a new government that is "based on the result of the election and is representative of all of Iraq's citizens," according to a readout from the White House.
The Vice President also expressed gratitude for Iraq's support to the international military coalition to defeat the so-called Islamic State (IS) and noted that more security and economic improvements in Iraq were need to capitalize on the terrorist group's defeat.
Pence and Al-Abadi also "conveyed their shared commitment to protecting victims of religious persecution at the hands of IS and discussed US Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green's upcoming visit to Iraq in support of this effort," the White House affirmed. (end) hy.bs

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