British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Tuesday hailed the appointment of a new Iraqi interim government as another "significant step forward" for the Iraqi people in rebuilding their country.

"These appointments, which have now been enhanced by the announcement of Dr. Allawi's cabinet, reflect another significant step forward for the Iraqi people in rebuilding their country after the ravages of Saddam's regime," Straw said in a statement.

"I hope that the international community will give an early signal of its strong support for the new leadership of Iraq in their crucial task of guiding their country along the pathway to peace and prosperity," Straw said.

Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) chairman for May Ghazi Yawar was appointed on Tuesday as the new Iraqi president and Itad Allawi as the prime minister to head the interim Iraqi government after the coalition transfer power to the Iraqis on June 30.

Source: Xinhua