Iraqi Government Sworn In

In another major collateral benefit of the war on terror, Iraq's first democratically elected government was sworn in today. From Yahoo! News:

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari pledged to unite Iraq's rival ethnic and religious factions and fight terrorism as the nation's first democratically elected government was sworn in Tuesday amid escalating violence.

"You all know the heavy legacy inherited by this government. We are afflicted by corruption, lack of services, unemployment and mass graves," al-Jaafari told lawmakers after taking the oath of office before the National Assembly. "I would like to tell the widows and orphans ... your sacrifices have not gone in vain."

One by one, al-Jaafari and members of his Cabinet walked to a podium and pledged to defend Iraq and its people as Iraqis faced a surge of violence that has killed nearly 170 people in six days.