French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner praised Iraqi voters who courageously went to the polls on Sunday despite a new wave of attacks that left nearly 40 dead.

"This bears testimony to the will of the Iraqi people to move beyond the ordeals of the past, to reject terrorism and shows their determination to build a democratic Iraq that looks to the future," said Kouchner in a statement.

"I pay tribute to the courage of the Iraqi voters. Today, they have voted for their future and that of their children."

Iraq's second parliamentary election since the 2003 US invasion was marred by rocket, mortar and bomb attacks in several Iraqi cities that left 38 dead, according to Iraqi officials.

Kouchner said France and its European partners "will be at the Iraqis' side in their struggle for reconstruction and democracy."