U.S.: Maliki welcomes shift in Egypt

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki hailed the Egyptian revolution in a phone call with Vice President Joe Biden Sunday, the White House said.

Biden also congratulated Maliki on Parliament's recent approval of several key Cabinet ministers and praised "his role in consolidating Iraq's democratic progress," the White House said.

The vice president also urged Iraq to finish forming its new government by appointing security ministers and setting up the National Council for Higher Policies, a parallel monitoring body.