Iraq 'milestone'

Millions of Iraqis voted in national elections Sunday, a day that insurgents killed more than 30 people.

Yet President Barack Obama correctly called Iraq's national elections an "important milestone" — both for Iraq and for the United States as it seeks to withdraw American combat forces by Aug. 31.

Despite the threat of violence, turnout was strong in Iraq. And Iraqi security forces performed competently in protecting the nation from potential attacks by Sunni Muslim insurgents and al-Qaida in Iraq.

Sunday's vote was the second national election since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. The first election in 2005 was marred by a widespread Sunni boycott. After a Shiite mosque was bombed, two years of sectarian violence followed.

The successful vote was important for the president's plans to remove all American forces by the end of next year. Fewer than 100,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq — the smallest number since Saddam Hussein was overthrown, the Associated Press notes.

After the voting results are known, a new parliament will be formed in the coming months. That body will choose the next prime minister, who will then form a new government.

Violence may or may not continue through this period, U.S. officials say. It remains to be seen whether Iraqi politics will continue along sectarian lines or whether people will branch out.

But Sunday, apart from the violence, was a good day for Iraq: Iraqis showed up to vote, and Mr. Obama said, "Today's voting makes it clear that the future of Iraq belongs to the people of Iraq."

And the American president gave due credit to U.S. troops, calling the vote "a tribute to all who have served and sacrificed in Iraq over the last seven years, including many who have given their lives."

May Iraq continue to progress.