WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Condoleezza Rice, designated by US President George W. Bush as the next secretary of state, said on Tuesday's confirmation hearing in the Senate that the coming elections in Iraq will mark an important step for the country on its march toward democracy.

    "In Iraq, the people will soon take the next step in their journey toward full, genuine democracy ...The election later this month will be an important first step as the people of Iraq prepare to draft a constitution and hold the next round of elections, elections that will then create a permanent government," Rice said.

    Iraq is to hold nationwide parliamentary elections on Jan. 30 and this will be the first elections held after the downfall of the Saddam Hussein regime.

    Rice said that there are hopeful signs that freedom is on the march as "Afghanistan and Iraq are struggling to put dark and terrible pasts behind them and to choose a path of progress."

    "In the Middle East, President Bush has broken with six decadesof excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in hoping to purchase stability at the price of liberty.

    But she admitted that as long as the broader Middle East remains a region of tyranny and despair and anger, it will produceextremists and movements that threaten the safety of America and its friends.

    The Bush administration hopes that Iraq could become a model for the countries in the North Africa and Middle East region to achieve democracy. Enditem