Presidential Palace, Kabul – H.E. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, congratulates H.E. Jalal Talabani, for being elected today as the President of Iraq by the newly-elected Iraqi Parliament.

In his reaction to the news, the President said: "I am pleased that Iraq is taking a further step towards a strengthened democracy.

congratulate President Talabani, and the Afghan people join me today in congratulating the Iraqi people on the election of their new President".

The President also congratulates Mr. Ghazi Al-Yawer and Mr. Adel Abdul Mahdi for being elected as the two Vice-Presidents of Iraq.