Nouri al-Maliki: I will abide by any decision of the Coordination Framework

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - International Service: Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law coalition and candidate for the post of Iraqi Prime Minister, stated on Tuesday evening that the withdrawal of current Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani from the candidacy in his favor was almost surprising, describing this position as unforgettable.

 

Al-Maliki said: Al-Sudani did not ask for any guarantees in return for withdrawing from the candidacy or supporting my candidacy, and I did not directly discuss his withdrawal with him.

 

He added that the Coordination Framework has long sought to find a solution to the election deadlock among the candidates.

 

Emphasizing respect for differences of opinion within the Coordination Framework, he stated: If the framework decides with a two-thirds vote of its members that I be removed, I will accept this decision.

 

According to Maliki, if his candidacy is not continued, the case will once again return to the coordination framework, because the final decision-making right lies with this group.

 

He added that the Iraqi groups have a positive approach and are ready to cooperate and participate in the government, and that there is no hostility between the parties, but rather a common history on the basis of which solutions to the weapons issue can be found. He also said that these groups are looking for guarantees so that they will not be targeted after the government monopolizes weapons.

 

Referring to the general fatigue from weapons and conflict, Maliki spoke of the existence of a real will to reach practical and realistic solutions.

 

Regarding US President Donald Trump's tweet in which Maliki's name was mentioned, the former Iraqi prime minister revealed: False information was conveyed to Trump and he was misled; also, some countries have intervened in this case and submitted reports against me.

 

He reported speculation that the text of the tweet may have been written inside Iraq and by Iraqis, although he stressed that this has not yet been definitively proven.

 

He concluded by stressing that: "No country has the right to interfere in Iraq's internal affairs."