Free elections in Iraq

The Independent comments on the elections in Iraq, arguing that they demonstrate the country is able to take control of its own destiny: "It would be wrong to dismiss the importance of this moment. These are the first elections to be carried out since the government signed an agreement with the US authorities to end the US occupation by 2011. They were the first to test the Iraqi security forces' ability to hold a peaceful nationwide election. And they are the first to test the authority of the Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, since he reached an agreement on the departure of American and British forces. ... Iraq has a long way to go before it can be called a successful democracy. ... But for anyone who hopes to see Iraq emerge from the traumas of tyranny and occupation, this vote has been an encouraging sign that Iraqis may at last be taking a grip of their own destiny."

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