The US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, says the Iraqi people braved terrorist threats to vote in the general election last December and are now demanding the formation of a government.
Speaking in Baghdad after two days of talks with Iraqi political leaders, Dr Rice said it was the democratic process that would disable those engaged in violence.
She added that countries such as the US and Britain, which had committed troops to Iraq, had a right to expect the political process to move forward.
Yesterday, the British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, warned that the power vacuum in Iraq is undermining efforts to tackle the security situation following the recent upsurge of sectarian violence in the country.
Mr Straw is visiting Baghdad with Ms Rice.
While acknowledging that progress had been made, Mr Straw urged politicians to take the next step.
'They have made a lot of progress in the way in which this
coalition government should operate, it is now crucial they move forward quickly to ensure the nomination of the senior positions,' Mr Straw said.
The two held talks with the Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani, and the Iraqi Prime Minister, Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
Senior members of Iraq's ruling Shi'a Alliance have called publicly for Mr al-Jaafari to retire in an effort to break months of deadlock.
