Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit on Saturday hailed Iraq's legislative election as a step forward on the path to form a constitutional government, the official MENA news agency reported.

"The election was an initial step for resuming the Iraqi political process," Abul Gheit was quoted as saying.

"Such a step should be followed by others, including holding a conference on Iraqi national reconciliation in Baghdad by the end of February next year," he added.

All such efforts are aimed at safeguarding the national interests of the Iraqi people and maintaining stability and security in the war-torn country, said the Egyptian top diplomat.

Iraq held the general election on Thursday, with about 15 millions of voters casting their ballots to elect the first four- year full-term parliament after former president Saddam Hussein was toppled in the US-led invasion in 2003.

Source: Xinhua