SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani congratulated on Tuesday the Syrian people on the occasion of the formation of the country’s new cabinet, expressing his best wishes in a phone call with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Iraq joined scores countries in extending congratulatory messages to the Syrian people for the formation of their new government cabinet earlier this week, after Sudani “expressed his best wishes and congratulations” on the occasion in a Tuesday phone call with Sharaa. 

A statement by the Prime Minister’s office noted that Sudani emphasized "Iraq’s steadfast position in support of the choices of the brotherly Syrian people. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the political process includes all national components of Syrian society, and that it moves toward peaceful coexistence and social stability—for a secure and stable future for Syria and the region as a whole."

Sudani highlighted Iraq's condemnation of the Israeli “incursion into Syrian territory,” while reiterating Baghdad’s support for the sovereignty and unity of Syria. Working together to keep the Islamic State (ISIS) threat at bay and economic cooperation were also discussed in the phone call, along with Eid al-Fitr greetings being exchanged by the pair.

Sharaa, for his part, "affirmed his commitment to developing bilateral relations" with Iraq and expressed his "respect for Iraq's sovereignty and his keenness not to interfere in its internal affairs," according to a statement by the Syrian Presidency.

Sharaa announced on Saturday the formation of a new Syrian transitional government, which saw the appointment of key Sharaa allies and opponents to ousted former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to crucial positions. 

The new cabinet, which was initially scheduled to be announced on March 1, received mixed reactions, with the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria on Sunday criticizing the cabinet for not reflecting the country’s diversity, stating that they will not be adhering to the decisions and directives issued by such a government.

The Iraqi government, closely aligned with Iran, supported Assad’s regime and has remained hesitant in establishing ties with the new authorities in Syria, with the two neighbors slowly working towards enhancing bilateral relations.

Updated at 13:24 with statement from the Syrian presidency