Iraq’s former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday accused Washington
of “flagrant interference” in his country’s affairs, after President Donald Trump
threatened to withdraw support from Iraq if al-Maliki returns to the post.
Last week, Iraq’s main Shiite alliance, the Coordination Framework, nominated al-
Maliki, viewed as close to Iran, as its candidate for the prime minister’s office.
But the nomination did not appeal to Trump, who accused al-Maliki of pursuing
“insane policies and ideologies” when he previously served as Iraq’s premier.
Al-Maliki, 75, rejected what he considered a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.
“Based on my respect for the national will and the decision of the Coordination
Framework.
“I will continue to work until we reach the end in a way fulfilling the supreme
interests of the Iraqi people,” al-Maliki said on the social media platform X,
without elaborating.
The pro-Iran Coordination Framework emerged from Iraq’s legislative election in
November as the bloc with the largest number of seats in the assembly.
Al-Maliki was the head of the Iraqi government from 2006 to 2014 after the fall of
long-time dictator Saddam Hussein following a U.S.-led invasion.
Critics, including representatives of the U.S. leadership at the time, accused him of
being responsible for the success of the extremist Islamic State militia in
overrunning large chunks of Iraq due to poor governance.
Detractors also accused al-Maliki of stoking sectarian tensions in Iraq.
“Because of (al-Maliki’s) insane policies and ideologies, if elected, the U.S. will no
longer help Iraq and, if we are not there to help.
“Iraq has ZERO chance of Success, Prosperity, or Freedom,” Trump said in a post
on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday.
“Last time Maliki was in power, the Country descended into poverty and total
chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again,” Trump said.
He added that Iraq would be making a very bad choice by reinstalling Nouri al-
Maliki as Prime Minister.
In 2017, Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State after a U.S.-led military
campaign against the radical militia.
By custom, a Kurdish politician served as Iraq’s president.
The post of parliament speaker was traditionally occupied by a Sunni Muslim, and
the prime minister is a Shiite Muslim.
Iraq’s parliament on Tuesday was supposed to elect a new president, who would
then nominate the prime minister.
However, according to media reports, the election of the president was postponed
due to disagreements over the candidate.
More than 20 years after the U.S. invasion and the overthrow of Hussein, stability
in Iraq remains fragile.
Both the U.S. and Iran are trying to assert their influence in the country.
Led by incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Iraq has been keen
to maintain good ties with both neighbouring Iran and the U.S.
NAN
