ELVIS
01-31-2005, 01:27 PM
January 31, 2005 (http://uk.news.yahoo.com/050131/140/fbfgf.html)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39482000/jpg/_39482569_allawi150.jpg
Iraq's interim leader has called on the country to unite following the weekend's historic elections and says terrorists have been defeated.Speaking in a televised address for the first time since the election, Interim Prime Minister Ayd Allawi said: "I call upon those who cast their ballot and those who did not to unite.
"The terrorists have been defeated."
Votes cast in Iraq's first democratic elections for half a century are being counted today as officials estimated at least 60% of Iraqis defied militant violence to go to the polls.
Earlier Prime Minister Tony Blair said the elections had dealt "a blow to the heart of global terrorism", while US president George Bush hailed them as "a resounding success".
Foriegn Scretary Jack Straw said the elections were a blow against the violence and intimidation carried out by the insurgents.
He said the elections "went better" than many had anticipated.
But voting took place against a backdrop of violence and bloodshed, with at least 44 people killed by a string of suicide bombs and an unknown number of British troops killed when an RAF Hercules transport plane crashed north of Baghdad.
Iraqi election officials said turn-out among the 14 million eligible voters appeared higher than the 57% that had been predicted, while United Nations officials described the process as "representative and fair".
The Shia-dominated south and Kurdish north hailed the election as a spectacular success, claiming a turnout of as high as 70%.
But these relatively peaceful areas proved a stark contrast to the rebel towns of Fallujah and Ramadi, where violence stopped all attempts at polling.
In a brief statement at 10 Downing Street, Mr Blair said: "Democracy in Iraq is not just good for Iraq itself. It is also a blow right to the heart of the global terrorism that threatens destruction not just in Iraq but in Britain and virtually every major country around the world."
Speaking at the White House within hours of polling stations closing, Mr Bush said: "The world is hearing the voice of freedom from the centre of the Middle East.
"In great numbers and in great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy."
Polling officials counted ballot papers into the night and delivered them by armed guard to regional centres. The papers will be sent on for recounting in the capital.
It is still unclear when final results will be declared, with some estimating it could be weeks until those elected to the new 275-member national assembly are named.
The assembly will draft new laws and pave the way for further elections in December, when the people will decide on a fully constitutional government.
:elvis:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39482000/jpg/_39482569_allawi150.jpg
Iraq's interim leader has called on the country to unite following the weekend's historic elections and says terrorists have been defeated.Speaking in a televised address for the first time since the election, Interim Prime Minister Ayd Allawi said: "I call upon those who cast their ballot and those who did not to unite.
"The terrorists have been defeated."
Votes cast in Iraq's first democratic elections for half a century are being counted today as officials estimated at least 60% of Iraqis defied militant violence to go to the polls.
Earlier Prime Minister Tony Blair said the elections had dealt "a blow to the heart of global terrorism", while US president George Bush hailed them as "a resounding success".
Foriegn Scretary Jack Straw said the elections were a blow against the violence and intimidation carried out by the insurgents.
He said the elections "went better" than many had anticipated.
But voting took place against a backdrop of violence and bloodshed, with at least 44 people killed by a string of suicide bombs and an unknown number of British troops killed when an RAF Hercules transport plane crashed north of Baghdad.
Iraqi election officials said turn-out among the 14 million eligible voters appeared higher than the 57% that had been predicted, while United Nations officials described the process as "representative and fair".
The Shia-dominated south and Kurdish north hailed the election as a spectacular success, claiming a turnout of as high as 70%.
But these relatively peaceful areas proved a stark contrast to the rebel towns of Fallujah and Ramadi, where violence stopped all attempts at polling.
In a brief statement at 10 Downing Street, Mr Blair said: "Democracy in Iraq is not just good for Iraq itself. It is also a blow right to the heart of the global terrorism that threatens destruction not just in Iraq but in Britain and virtually every major country around the world."
Speaking at the White House within hours of polling stations closing, Mr Bush said: "The world is hearing the voice of freedom from the centre of the Middle East.
"In great numbers and in great risk, Iraqis have shown their commitment to democracy."
Polling officials counted ballot papers into the night and delivered them by armed guard to regional centres. The papers will be sent on for recounting in the capital.
It is still unclear when final results will be declared, with some estimating it could be weeks until those elected to the new 275-member national assembly are named.
The assembly will draft new laws and pave the way for further elections in December, when the people will decide on a fully constitutional government.
:elvis: