Senior Kurdish politician Fouad Masoum has been voted in as president of Iraq, as the country struggles to find stability in the wake of losing control of vast swathes of land to Islamic insurgents.

The vote took place on 24 July and marks a significant step forward for Iraq. Its politicians have been struggling to form a new government since Iraqis went to the polls in April. The country has yet to agree on a prime minister to replace Nouri al-Maliki, who has remained in a caretaker capacity since the election.

Speaking on the day of the vote, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his support for efforts to build a government where all Iraqis feel represented.

“Iraq is facing an existential threat, but this can be overcome through the formation of a thoroughly inclusive government – a government that can address the concerns of all communities, including security, political, social and economic matters,” he said after a meeting with Al-Maliki.