We need to ignore some petty or nonessential or marginal issues in order to achieve national unity for Iraq, including the unity of the opposition.

Rather, it is through conciliation and compromise that we are building a fair Iraq, a just state for all its peoples.

As president of Iraq, I shall strive to represent the diversity of a country that has too often in the past denied difference.

The first thing we are thinking of doing after forming a national unity government is to build stability and security and to terminate terrorism.

Now, the time has come for the rest of the world to recognize that a federal, democratic Iraq that can defend itself against terrorism is a goal worthy of broad international support.

I thank Turkish officials for their decision not to send troops to Iraq. Turkey is a friendly country, and I want a new page to be opened between us.