Iran welcomes election of Salih as Iraq's new president

TEHRAN, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Ministry welcomed the election of Barham Salih as Iraq's new president, the ministry's website reported on Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Bahram Qasemi, expressed hope that the "age-old, strong and brotherly" relations between Tehran and Baghdad will further expand during Salih's tenure.

Iraqi lawmakers on Tuesday elected Barham Salih as the new president of Iraq after a protracted political wrangling, marking a crucial step in forming the government in the next four years.