Brussels, 04/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Given the upsurge in violence in Iraq - with high casualty numbers in recent days - Catherine Ashton “encourages all political entities in Iraq to speed up the process of government formation in order to ensure stability and security in the country”. The country is still awaiting a new government although elections were held on 7 March 2010. (H.B./transl.jl)