Washington (AINA) --- In a letter to Condoleezza Rice, US Secretary of State, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama expressed worries for Iraq's minorities after the recent elimination of their quota seats in the provincial councils of Iraq.

Obama expressed concern the move will leave Assyrians and other minorities without adequate representation in the provincial councils.

"Christian and other non-Muslim religious minorities continue to face considerable difficulty in ensuring that they are adequately represented in Iraqi governmental institutions", states his letter to Rice.

Obama concludes the letter with a request from the Department of State to act on the matter and make sure Iraq's minorities are well protected.

Click here for Obama's letter (PDF).