Khaberni - Amid rising questions about the possibility of former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki continuing his candidacy for the government, especially after his meeting last Friday with the special American envoy Tom Barrack, the director of the media office of the "State of Law Coalition" president, Hisham Al-Rikabi, confirmed that Al-Maliki is proceeding with his candidacy. In a post on X Saturday, he said: A question arises whether President Nouri Al-Maliki will change his stance regarding running for prime minister.. The answer: There is no change in his position.
He also added that "all that is circulated in this regard is not based on real data."
American Objection
This came after sources for Al Arabiya/Al Hadath reported that "Barrack informed Al-Maliki of the need to withdraw his candidacy" for the prime ministership.
Al-Maliki has repeatedly affirmed in the past that he will not withdraw his candidacy and reiterated the same stance last Monday. He emphasized that he will not withdraw his candidacy for the head of the government despite Washington’s objection, considering it a "sovereign Iraqi right".
However, he acknowledged at the same time the necessity to maintain relations with the United States, and also Iran, with which Iraq shares mutual interests. He stressed that he supports the monopolization of arms in the hands of the state, a demand by the United States.
It is worth noting that American President Donald Trump had previously threatened to stop American aid to Baghdad if it insisted on Al-Maliki for the position of prime minister. Several American officials have recently conveyed the same message to the Iraqi side.
Al-Maliki (75 years old) had previously held the office of prime minister between 2006 and 2014 for two terms that witnessed pivotal events in modern Iraqi history, including the withdrawal of American forces, the intensification of sectarian violence, and the control of the "ISIS" organization over large areas of Iraqi territory.
While his relations with Washington cooled during his second term as his relations with Tehran grew, which led Trump to consider him a "bad choice," according to his description.
