Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition and the Coordination Framework’s nominee for Iraq’s premiership, rejected what he described as US interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, after President Donald Trump warned that Washington would halt support for Iraq if Maliki returned to power, Al Sharaq Al Awsat reported on January 28.
Writing on X, Maliki said, “We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs and consider it a violation of its sovereignty and contrary to the democratic system in Iraq after 2003, and an infringement on the decision of the Coordination Framework to choose its candidate for the post of prime minister.”
“The language of dialogue between states is the only political option in dealing with one another, not resorting to the language of dictates and threats. Out of respect for the national will and the decision of the Coordination Framework guaranteed by the Iraqi constitution, I will continue working until we reach the end, in a way that serves the supreme interests of the Iraqi people,” Al-Maliki added.
Trump issued the warning on January 27, saying the United States would stop backing Iraq if Maliki who is supported by Shiite parties close to Iran were to regain office.
Posting on his Truth Social platform, Trump said, “Because of his crazy policies and ideologies, if he is elected, the United States of America will not provide any assistance to Iraq in the future.”
Trump criticised close-to-Iran al-Maliki's previous tenure from 2006 to 2014, claiming Iraq "descended into poverty and total chaos" under his leadership, which was one of the bloodiest periods in Iraq's recent history and comes at a critical juncture as Tehran faces off again against Washington and Tel Aviv.
Al-Maliki, who leads the State of Law Coalition, served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014 and was the first head of government elected after the 2003 US-led invasion. He remains one of Iraq’s most controversial political figures due to the policies pursued during his time in office.
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