Nouri al-Maliki said Monday he has no intention of withdrawing his bid for Iraq’s premiership, despite reported US warnings that support for Baghdad could be suspended if he returns to office.
Nouri al-Maliki © Mena Today
Nouri al-Maliki said Monday he has no intention of withdrawing his bid for Iraq’s premiership, despite reported US warnings that support for Baghdad could be suspended if he returns to office.
“I have absolutely no intention of stepping aside, out of respect for my country, its sovereignty and its will,” he said, stressing that no external party has the right to dictate Iraq’s political choices.
At the same time, Maliki underscored the importance of maintaining strong ties with the United States. He described relations with Washington as “essential” for Iraq’s development and pledged that, if appointed, his government would ensure the protection of diplomatic missions in the country.
His remarks come amid heightened regional tensions, including threats by Iran to target US interests in the region in the event of American strikes.
By Nasser Houlgath
Iraq's foreign minister said on Monday Turkey had agreed to take back Turkish citizens from among thousands of Islamic State detainees transferred to Iraq from Syria when camps and prisons there were shut in recent weeks.
U.S. military forces have completed their mission in Syria to transfer Islamic State detainees to Iraq, U.S. Central Command said on Friday.
About 3,000 Islamic State detainees have so far been transferred from Syrian prisons to Iraq and the process is continuing, Iraq's foreign minister said on Friday, adding that Baghdad was in discussions with some countries to repatriate them soon.
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