Several world leaders have welcomed the election of a multi-ethnic presidential council headed by Jalal Talabani.

Gulf Arab states welcomed the election but urged Talabani to safeguard Iraqi unity.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, which groups six countries, urged support for the "stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and non-interference in its internal affairs". 

In Qatar, the cabinet called for Iraq's "independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity" to be respected, official media reported.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan also welcomed the choice of Talabani as Iraq's first freely elected president.

Iraqi Kurds on Wednesday greeted the news of election of the country's first Kurdish president with celebrations, parading in the streets of Sulaimaniya and Kirkuk.

Despite opinion polls showing most Australians oppose Prime Minister John Howard's February decision to send 450 troops - in addition to 900 already in Iraq - to train Iraqi forces and protect a Japanese military contingent involved in humanitarian work, Downer reaffirmed Canberra's commitment to remaining in Iraq.

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