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08/03/2004
Straw welcomes signing of Iraqi interim constitution
The Foreign Secretary has welcomed the official signing of the interim constitutional document by the Iraqi governing council.
The signing ceremony took place in the capital Baghdad today and is the template for governance after the official handover of power from the US-led administration to the governing council in July.
The 25-member council each took it in turn to sign the document at the convention centre. The constitution – as the new Transitional Administrative Law – recognises Islam as the state religion, recognises equal rights and entitlements for all of Iraq's citizens and provides for a full election by December 31 2005.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "This is a significant achievement and I want to pay tribute to all parties to this agreement, for their patience and for the spirit of consensus in which they have negotiated it.
"This is the clearest demonstration to date of the strong desire to build a free, stable and democratic society in Iraq, despite the terrorist violence which seeks to deny the people of Iraq the future they want."
He added: "The transitional law opens with the words: 'We the Iraqi people, striving to reclaim our freedom....'
"A year ago, those words would have been unimaginable. The transitional law sets out the path Iraq will take to democracy. The people of Iraq will continue to have our full support as they work for their freedom."
(gmcg)
The signing ceremony took place in the capital Baghdad today and is the template for governance after the official handover of power from the US-led administration to the governing council in July.
The 25-member council each took it in turn to sign the document at the convention centre. The constitution – as the new Transitional Administrative Law – recognises Islam as the state religion, recognises equal rights and entitlements for all of Iraq's citizens and provides for a full election by December 31 2005.
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said: "This is a significant achievement and I want to pay tribute to all parties to this agreement, for their patience and for the spirit of consensus in which they have negotiated it.
"This is the clearest demonstration to date of the strong desire to build a free, stable and democratic society in Iraq, despite the terrorist violence which seeks to deny the people of Iraq the future they want."
He added: "The transitional law opens with the words: 'We the Iraqi people, striving to reclaim our freedom....'
"A year ago, those words would have been unimaginable. The transitional law sets out the path Iraq will take to democracy. The people of Iraq will continue to have our full support as they work for their freedom."
(gmcg)
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19 July 2004
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British soldier dies in Basrah helicopter crash
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09 April 2003
UN role uncertain after Anglo-US summit
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28 July 2004
68 killed in Baquba suicide bomb
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68 killed in Baquba suicide bomb
A car bomb outside a police station in northern Iraq has killed almost 70 people, it has been reported today. The BBC has reported that at least 68 people died when a suicide bomber detonated explosives – which had been packed into a minibus – amid a crowded marketplace in Baquba, which lies 40 miles north-east of the capital Baghdad.
03 May 2007
Extra £100m pledged for Iraq
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Extra £100m pledged for Iraq
The Foreign Secretary has announced that the UK Government will provide an extra £100 million to be spent on rebuilding Iraq. Mrs Beckett said: "This brings our total humanitarian and reconstruction support for Iraq's reconstruction to £744 million or $1.5 billion.
19 September 2003
Minister on two-day fact-finding mission to Iraq
International Development Minister Hilary Benn has embarked on a two-day visit to Iraq to see the "political, development and humanitarian challenges" facing Iraqi people.
Minister on two-day fact-finding mission to Iraq
International Development Minister Hilary Benn has embarked on a two-day visit to Iraq to see the "political, development and humanitarian challenges" facing Iraqi people.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Much of the day will be dry with some hazy sunshine. Thickening cloud will bring some patchy rain from the southwest later in the afternoon. Warm. Maximum temperature 17 °C.Tonight:This evening will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, these clearing away towards midnight. Then the rest of the night will be dry with clear periods. Minimum temperature 12 °C.
