Iraqi Shiite bloc doubles down on Maliki for premiership despite Trump warning

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s ruling Coordination Framework said Saturday it remains committed to nominating former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki as its candidate for the premiership, despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that Washington would end its support for Iraq if Maliki returns to office.

In a statement following a meeting, the Shiite bloc said it reiterates “its adherence to its candidate Mr. Nouri Kamel al-Maliki for the premiership.”

Trump said Tuesday that the United States would halt its support for Iraq should Maliki be elected prime minister. Maliki responded Wednesday by rejecting the warning and reaffirming his candidacy.

“We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs,” Maliki said.

The Coordination Framework said that “choosing the Prime Minister is a purely Iraqi constitutional matter, conducted according to political process mechanisms that take national interest into account, away from external dictates.”

The bloc also “confirmed its commitment to building balanced relations with the international community, especially with effective international powers.”

The Coordination Framework formally announced Maliki’s candidacy last week after outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani withdrew his bid for a second term. In Iraq’s November parliamentary elections, Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition won 46 seats, compared with 29 seats secured by Maliki’s State of Law coalition.

Despite Trump’s warning, Maliki met Friday with US Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris. According to Maliki’s adviser Hisham al-Rikabi, the meeting discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, as well as ongoing talks among political forces to complete the remaining constitutional posts and coordinate the formation of the next government.

The US embassy in Iraq has not commented on the meeting.