Following the establishment of the national unity cabinet in Iraq, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has expressed Tehran's full support Baghdad, Press TV reported.
"Cooperation between Tehran and Baghdad should be further promoted and strengthened in all fields thanks to close and amicable mutual relations," ISNA quoted Rahimi as saying in a telephone conversation with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday.
He expressed felicitations to the Iraqi government and nation over the confidence vote to Maliki's national unity cabinet and said the Iranian government and people praise the reformation of the government in Iraq.
"Security and stability in Iraq will undoubtedly be institutionalized in the new government and interests of the Iraqi people will be met in the best way more than any time before," Rahimi said.
Al-Maliki, for his part, expressed hope that the two neighboring countries would further improve friendly relations and serve interests of the Iranian and Iraqi nations through bolstering cooperation.
On Tuesday, Iraq's parliament approved three deputy prime ministers and 31 ministerial candidates nominated by Maliki, paving the way for the formation of a new government.
The new cabinet held its first meeting on Wednesday, a day after lawmakers approved Maliki as prime minister for his second term.
During the meeting, Maliki urged his newly approved cabinet to work harder to fight the dire consequences of months of political deadlock in the country.
Calling on his ministers to present their agenda quickly, Maliki said that the formation of the new Iraqi government nine months after inconclusive elections has seriously delayed the process of rebuilding the country after years of war.
Iran backs new Iraqi government
Following the establishment of the national unity cabinet in Iraq, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has expressed Tehran's full support Baghdad.
