Iraq’s PM candidate says he won’t bow to foreign requests

Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition and the Coordination Framework’s candidate for Iraq’s next prime minister, spoke out about the US rejection of his candidacy and the aftermath of President Donald Trump’s tweet on the matter, affirming his willingness to step aside under specific conditions.

As Shafag News reports, Al-Maliki emphasized that he is an Iraqi citizen and that his nomination was made by an Iraqi government institution, the Coordination Framework. “It is not possible for me to withdraw at the request of a foreign country,” he stated.

Al-Maliki further claimed that Trump had been misled regarding his bid for a third term by “three countries and domestic parties,” adding: “I heard that the tweet was written here, but I haven’t confirmed this yet.”

Addressing concerns over potential US economic sanctions, he insisted that his candidacy would not expose Iraq to such measures. He criticized the narrative pushing for his withdrawal, saying the issue is being promoted to pressure him into abandoning the bid.

Regarding his willingness to step down, al-Maliki said, “I would be prepared to give up my candidacy for prime minister if this were done at the request of the majority of the Coordination Framework.”

By Vafa Guliyeva