Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to a) support civil society and democratic institutions in Iraq, and b) counter the influence of the Popular Mobilisation Forces.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided to Question 55773, and add that our Ambassador in Baghdad, and our Consul General in Erbil, regularly meet with civil society to underline the UK's enduring commitment to human rights. The UK welcomes the peaceful Iraqi elections that took place on 11 November. We look forward to a smooth transition of power and hope to see a new Government with a clear approach to protecting Iraq's stability and security.