WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush hailed Iraq's parliamentary elections on Thursday and said this was "a major step forward" in achieving a democratic Iraq.

    "This is a major step forward in achieving our objective, which is having a democratic Iraq, a country able to sustain

US President Bush (L) meets overseas Iraqis voters in White House, Dec. 15, 2005. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

itself and defend itself, a country that will be an ally in the war on terror, and a country which will send such a powerful example to others in the region, whether they live in Iran or Syria," Bush said.

    "Millions of people voted. And I haven't seen all the tabulations of the vote, but we're certain that the turnout was significant and that the violence was down," Bush said.

    Bush also vowed to finish the mission in Iraq before withdrawing the US troops out of the strife-stricken country.

    Amid tight security, about 15 million Iraqi voters headed to polls on Thursday to elect their first four-year term parliament after former president Saddam Hussein was toppled in the US-led invasion in March 2003. Enditem

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