US President George W. Bush on Monday hailed the signing of Iraq's new interim constitution, calling it "a historic milestone" for the Iraqi people.  

"The adoption of this law marks a historic milestone in the Iraqi people's long journey from tyranny and violence to liberty and peace. While difficult work remains to establish democracy in Iraq, today's signing is a critical step in that direction," Bush said in a statement issued by the White House.

"This document is an important step toward the establishment of a sovereign government on June 30th," Bush said, adding that he congratulated the Iraqi Governing Council and the Iraqi people "on completing the Transitional Administrative Law for Iraq."

Bush said that the interim constitution "lays the foundation for democratic elections and for a new constitution, which will be written by an elected Iraqi assembly and approved by the Iraqi people."

The interim constitution is expected to take effect on July 1 after the US-led coalition authorities hand over sovereignty to a caretaker Iraqi government on June 30.

The 25-member Iraq's Governing Council, hand-picked by Washington, signed the interim constitution earlier Monday before an audience of prominent Iraqi and American officials, including Iraq's top US administrator Paul Bremer.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2004)