Maliki vows Iraq will be a democracy

BAGHDAD, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki Friday promised that Iraq will become a viable democracy.

Despite the security challenges facing his government, Maliki said in a statement issued by his office that his government would move ahead with its efforts to form a democratic government, the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, reported.

Maliki was in Iran Friday, and his statement said Iranian officials, especially Ayatollah Ali Khomeni, have supported the Iraqi government. The statement said that Khomeni called for unity among Iraqi factions, KUNA reported.

Maliki said that Iraq now belongs to all of its people and that the Iraqi people are capable of overcoming hardships.