The United States on Tuesday vowed to help Iraq move forward after the election and urged the international community to support the post-Saddam Hussein government.

"We need to do all we can to support the new Iraqi government as they organize themselves and select a presidency council, whichin turn will set up the cabinet. And so we need to do all we can to support them going forward," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at a news briefing.

"This is a time to focus on ways that all of us in the international community can support the Iraqi people and the new Iraqi leaders as they continue to work to build the institutions necessary for a democracy to fully emerge in Iraq," McClellan said.

McClellan said that the United States hopes all countries will do their part "to help the Iraqi people build upon this weekend's great success."

Under tight security, Iraq on Sunday held its first nationwide parliamentary election after the downfall of the Saddam Hussein regime. US President George W. Bush has hailed the election as "a resounding success."