BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- Many countries around the world and international organizations on Saturday welcomed the formation of the first full-term Iraqi government after the ouster of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, and promised aid and continued support for Baghdad.

    United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan hailed the Iraqi government's formation and congratulated the country's new Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and members of the new government.

    Annan said in a statement that he "hopes that the process of forming a broad-based and inclusive government will be completed as soon as possible, so that it will be able to quickly address the crucial issues of national reconciliation, security, the rule of law, respect for human rights, reconstruction and development."

    Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European commissioner for external relations, said the appointment of the new Iraqi government is "very good news."

    She promised help for the rebuilding of the war-torn country. "The European Commission will remain actively supportive of Iraqi efforts to build a prosperous and peaceful future," she said.

    Ferrero-Waldner said the EU will soon discuss with the new government an aid package worth 200 million euros (254 million U.S. dollars) for 2006.

    U.S. President George W. Bush hailed the formation of Iraq's new government and pledged U.S. support for it.

    While acknowledging that the new government still faces a period of challenge, Bush pledged that the United States will stand with the new Iraqi government.

    "The United States and freedom-loving nations around the world will stand with Iraq as it takes its place among the world's democracies and as an ally in the war on terror," Bush said.

    Washington's coalition partners, Britain and Italy, welcomed the new Iraqi government, with Britain pledging its troops will remain in Iraq until they are no longer needed and Italy lauding the cabinet as a source of hope for the future.

    British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the coalition soldiers hoped to transfer their duties to Iraqi forces as soon as possible, but added that British troops would remain in Iraq for as long as they are needed.

    Italy's Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema, who sent a message of congratulations to his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari, said Italy would keep contributing to the reconstruction of Iraq.

    Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay on Saturday welcomed the new Iraqi government and pledged Canada's support and cooperation with the new cabinet.

    "Canada looks forward to working with the national unity government of Iraq and will support its efforts to provide security and prosperity to all Iraqis," said MacKay.

    Arab countries and the Arab League on Saturday welcomed the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet, saying it opened the way for the region's powers to step up efforts to bring stability to the conflict-torn nation.

    Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa hailed the new government's inauguration as a "a step on the right path" toward restoring security and stability in Iraq.

    Jordanian King Abdullah II expressed the hope that the formation of the new Iraqi cabinet would constitute a "significant step toward building a new Iraq that would be able to fulfill the aspirations of its people for a better life, democracy, (political) pluralism and stronger national unity."

    Kuwait's leader, Emir Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, wished the new Iraqi cabinet "success in serving the brotherly Iraqi people" and expressed the hope that its members would succeed in "closing their ranks and using their capabilities in building Iraq."

    Earlier Saturday, the Iraqi parliament approved the new 37-member cabinet headed by Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki at a special session held in Baghdad, although three key posts -- interior, defense and national security affairs, remained unfilled. Enditem