Iraq told to build broad-based government

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all Iraqi leaders on Sunday to form a "broad-based" government that would enable the nation to combat the threat from the Islamic State.

A statement issued by his spokesperson said that Ban remains "deeply concerned" about the evolving humanitarian and security situation in Iraq.

"The secretary-general calls upon all Iraqi political parties to abide by the constitutional timeline that governs the nomination of the prime minister," the statement said.

The UN chief also called for "reason and wisdom to prevail" and urged all leaders in Iraq to "form a broad-based government" that is acceptable to all components of Iraqi society.

"Such a government should be able to mobilize the nation to confront the threat from the Islamic State in a way that will bring security and stability to the whole country," the statement said.

Fuad Masoum was elected by the Iraqi parliament as the president of the country on July 24.

Friday was the constitutional deadline for Masoum to nominate a prime minister, who would then form a new government. The main political coalition can't decide whom to present as the next prime minister, delaying a scheduled discussion in parliament.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Sunday in Baghdad that the formation of a "broad unity government" in Iraq is critical to fighting jihadist expansion,

"In this time, Iraq particularly needs a broad-based unity government because all Iraqis need to feel represented to wage the fight against terrorism together," he said.

He was speaking after a meeting with Iraq's deputy prime minister and acting foreign minister, Hussein al-Shahristani, before heading north to Arbil to oversee the delivery of French aid to displaced civilians.

Xinhua - AFP