UN Security Council calls for early government formation in Iraq

The UN Security Council Wednesday called for the formation of a new inclusive government in Iraq as quickly as possible and urged all political parties to respect the political process governed by the country's constitution.

The Security Council was encouraged by the decision of Iraqi President Fuad Masoum to nominate a new prime minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, Xinhua quoted a statement as saying.

"The nomination of a new prime minister-designate is an important step toward the formation of an inclusive government that represents all segments of the Iraqi population and that contributes to finding a viable and sustainable solution to the country's current challenges," the 15-nation UN body said.

The council also urged Abadi to work swiftly to form such a government as quickly as possible and within the constitutional time-frame.

Abadi, a lawmaker from Iraq's embattled Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's own Shite Dawa Party, has 30 days to form a new government under the constitution.

Maliki has rejected his successor appointed by newly elected President Masoum in his last attempt to cling to power, a move that analysts say is plunging the war-torn country into political chaos.

Council members reiterated their support for Iraq's democratic process and for the Iraqi people in their fight against terrorism, in particular against the Islamic State in Iraq, said the statement.