The former premier and top candidate said it was ‘quite possible’ to reach an agreement on weapons with the Iran-backed resistance in Iraq
News Desk - The Cradle
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“I have absolutely no intention of withdrawing out of respect for my country, its sovereignty, and its will. No one has the right to say whom we can or cannot vote for,” Maliki told AFP. “I will not withdraw until the end.”
“All countries can be assured that we will prevent any violation against their embassies or officially recognized interests in Iraq. We will not allow any party to target any country that maintains a diplomatic presence – such as embassies – in Iraq,” he went on to say.
Despite rejecting US pressure, Maliki said he believes “a relationship with the American side is essential for Iraq's progress.”
He also rejected claims that he had a bad relationship with the US between 2006 and 2014.
Maliki’s relationship with the Islamic Republic of Iran, a concern for Washington, “rests on the principle that Iraq's sovereignty is respected” and that “shared interests define this relationship,” the candidate said.
The former premier said he was committed to limiting arms to the state, referring to Iran-backed resistance groups, which the US and Israel want disarmed.
Baghdad has held discussions about disarmament with many of these factions, who, in exchange, demand the complete withdrawal of US forces from the country.
Washington has reduced its forces and concentrated troops in fewer bases within Iraq, but still maintains a significant presence under the pretext of “advising” Iraqi forces.
A number of US Army troops, who recently withdrew from Syria, were seen heading toward Iraq.
“In fact, what America wants is not new. These are our demands. We want weapons in the hands of the state. We want a centralized military force. We have said it repeatedly: we want one army under one command, directly under state authority,” Maliki continued.
He claimed it was “quite possible” to reach a deal with Iran-backed resistance groups.
“There is a good basis for understanding with the factions [but this cannot happen] through force, war, or confrontations.”
Maliki’s nomination late last month comes after Iraqi Premier Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, now operating as a caretaker prime minister, decided to step down and not seek a second term.
He was nominated by the Shia-led Coordination Framework (CF), a political coalition that participates in Iraq’s government and includes representatives from many Iran-backed resistance organizations.
Maliki previously served two terms as prime minister in the wake of the 2003 US invasion. He leads the Islamic Dawa Party, whose leaders returned to Iraq from exile in Iran after US forces toppled the late Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
Maliki has historically enjoyed close ties with Tehran, but has also maintained a balanced relationship with Washington. US President Donald Trump's government has threatened to cut off Iraq if Maliki is elected.
“We are prepared to use the full range of tools to implement the president’s policy and have communicated this to Iraqi political leadership,” a State Department official told Rudaw earlier this month. He also reiterated Trump’s recent statement that Washington will “no longer help” Iraq if Maliki is elected.
In January, US officials threatened to cut off Iraq's access to revenue from its own oil sales, held at the New York Federal Reserve Bank, if parties affiliated with the Iraqi resistance and Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) joined the new government after elections later this year.
Some of these groups targeted both US bases and Israel during the two-year genocide against Gaza.
Al-Hurra reported days ago that Washington has warned the CF that Baghdad could face sweeping sanctions if Maliki is elected for a third term.
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