Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the Parliament of Iraq following its election of a Speaker, and in particular regarding the prospects of the early formation of a new government.

Our Ambassador in Iraq has discussed the formation of a new, inclusive Iraqi government with the new Speaker, Salim al Jibouri, and representatives of the major political parties. We welcome these first steps towards formation of the government and urge the Iraqi parliament to make swift progress on the election of a President and appointment of a Prime Minister.