Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the formation of a new Iraqi government in Baghdad, Iraq:
"I congratulate Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haydar al-Abadi and all of Iraq’s new leaders that were sworn into office. This is a critical step for all Iraqis who voted in April 2014 for new leaders committed to leading Iraq on a different path, one that is inclusive and capable of addressing the security crisis in Iraq.
"As I have previously stated, my support for U.S. assistance to Iraq will be determined by the decisions and policies of the new Iraqi government. I urge Dr. al-Abadi and his Council of Ministers to quickly set out a non-sectarian, inclusive governing agenda. This agenda must provide a comprehensive plan for the Iraqi Security Forces, in partnership with Kurdish security forces, to build on U.S. military action by pushing back the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).”
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