WASHINGTON, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The United States said Thursday it welcomes the move by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to name an ambassador to Iraq and urged other countries to follow suit.

    "We absolutely appreciate what the UAE has decided to do today. We hope that other countries would follow suit soon," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

    The UAE move shows that Iraq is getting back on a path to normal and good relations with its neighbors in the region, Perino added.

    According to media reports, Iraq said on Thursday that the UAE will name an ambassador to Baghdad within days.

    "The UAE will announce the nomination of an ambassador in the next few days, and will choose a new site for their embassy," a statement from Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office announced.