ABU DHABI, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- Gulf Arab countries expressed hope on Monday that the new full-term Iraqi government, to be set up after the recent Iraqi parliamentary elections, can help restore stability in the violence-plagued country.

   The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), grouping six Gulf Arab countries, made the remarks in a statement at the end of the bloc's annual summit which just concluded in Abu Dhabi.

   The statement "expects the results of Iraq's legislative elections will open a new page in the modern history of Iraq in a manner that safeguards territorial integrity and stability of Iraq and helps it run its own affairs."

   "The GCC wants to see Iraq's come-back as an active member to the Arab and international communities and live in peace with its neighbors," the statement added.

   The Sunni-dominated GCC countries also urged the Iraqi people to resort to dialogues to reach a comprehensive national reconciliation that "constitutes the main safety valve for the unity, stability and sovereignty of Iraq".

   In addition, the GCC condemned terrorist acts against Iraqi civilians and humanitarian and religious establishments in the country while pledging to contribute to Iraq's reconstruction.

   The situation in Iraq, plagued by almost daily violence, has been an important topic of the summit of the GCC, which groups Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

   Iraq held its general elections last week to choose its first full-term parliament since the US-led forces toppled the Saddam Hussein regime in 2003.

   The turnout is estimated to be very high as Sunni Arabs, who largely boycotted or scared away from a January ballot to choose an interim legislature, took active part this time around.

   Iraq's Shiites, long-oppressed under Saddam's regime but dominating the transitional government formed in April, are expected to remain the largest bloc in the new Iraqi parliament.

   Well-informed sources said Sunni-dominated GCC countries are concerned about the close relations between Iraqi Shiites and the Shiite-dominated Iran.

   The bloc was eager to see the Sunnis be brought back to Iraq's political mainstream and a new, balanced Iraqi government be formed so as to end violence in the country and restore regional stability. Enditem