by Ran Wei
WASHINGTON, March 18 (Xinhua) -- "Iraqis' goal is to have a political system that is based on free elections and nondiscrimination between all people," Iraqi ambassador to the United States told Xinhua in a recent interview.
"The beginning of a new political institution is emerging," Ambassador Samir Sumaidaie said before the seventh anniversary of the start of Iraq War.
"We are not quite there yet. But the recent elections demonstrate that the people want the system. Despite threats, they went out to vote in large numbers," the ambassador added.
It was the second time for Iraq to hold parliamentary election since Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled in 2003. The election result will shape the country's political landscape after the U.S. forces completely pull out and will have a profound impact on Iraqis' everyday life.
The bloc led by incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki was slightly leading in the partial results, according to latest reports.
After seven years of difficult time, there are still a lot of problems in the war-torn country, Sumaidaie said.
