Baghdad: Minister of Transport Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi congratulated Iraqi journalists on the occasion of the celebration of the National Day of the Iraqi Press. Al-Saadawi wrote, via a congratulatory telegram, "We highly appreciate the pioneering role of the Iraqi press in building the modern Iraqi state, spreading awareness and culture, promoting the values of freedom and democracy, and the commitment of the fourth authority to high professional principles, and the effective contribution to building a free and democratic Iraq." He added, "Iraqi journalists have made great sacrifices and played a lofty national role in various political, security and social events that the country has witnessed," stressing the need to protect freedom of the press and expression, and to support Iraqi journalists in carrying out their lofty mission, "noting the active presence of Iraqi journalists in the fields of jihad and construction, and they are still continuing to this moment with the same enthusiasm and responsibil ity in expressing the will of the people, their rights and dignity." Source:National Iraqi News Agency