UPDATE - US, UN welcome Iraq's new government

UPDATES HEADLINE, DECK, ADDS UN STATEMENT

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - The US top diplomat welcomed Iraq's new government in a telephone call with Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, saying a "bold agenda" awaits him.

Mike Pompeo called al-Kadhimi to discuss "the urgent hard work" ahead of the Iraqi government, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement late Wednesday.

"Secretary Pompeo welcomed Prime Minister Kadhimi’s new government, which was confirmed by the Council of Representatives," she said. "They discussed the urgent hard work ahead for the Iraqi government, implementing reforms, addressing COVID-19, and fighting corruption."

In support of the new government the US will move forward with a 120-day electricity waiver as a "display of our desire to help provide the right conditions for success," she added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed his support for the nascent government "and calls for the implementation of meaningful reforms that make tangible improvements in people’s lives and strengthen Iraq’s democratic institutions," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Guterres "encourages the swift completion of the formation of the government, including by appointing women to cabinet positions yet to be filled," Dujarric said.

Pompeo and al-Kadhimi further discussed the upcoming US-Iraq strategic dialogue to provide the Iraqi people the prosperity and security.

"Great to speak today with new Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi. Now comes the urgent, hard work of implementing the reforms demanded by the Iraqi people," Pompe also said on Twitter.

"I pledged to help him deliver on his bold agenda for the sake of the Iraqi people," he added.

Iraq's parliament gave a vote of confidence to the new Prime Minister al-Kadhimi and his partial Cabinet in the wee hours Thursday, to succeed the resigned government headed by Adel Abdul-Mahdi.

Al-Kadhimi managed to form a new government after two former prime ministers-designate, Mohammad Allawi and Adnan Al-Zurfi, failed to garner support.

Iraq has been roiled by mass protests since early October over poor living conditions and corruption, forcing Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to resign.

At least 496 Iraqis have been killed and 17,000 have been injured since the protests began on Oct. 1, according to Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights.

*Michael Hernandez contributed to this report from Washington