Maliki: Relations with Iran Are Based on Mutual Interests

Tehran - BORNA - Nouri al-Maliki — former prime minister of Iraq and head of the State of Law Coalition, who is currently a candidate for the premiership — told Agence France-Presse that he has no intention of stepping aside.

“I have absolutely no intention of withdrawing, because I respect the country to which I belong, its sovereignty and its will. No one has the right to tell us not to vote for this person and to vote for that person,” he said.

Maliki added that Iraq seeks “a single army under a unified command, directly under the authority of the government.” He noted that such an approach would reassure all countries that Iraq would prevent any attacks on their embassies or official interests inside the country.

The former Iraqi prime minister also stressed that relations with Iran are based on shared interests.

Maliki, who had previously faced what he described as interventionist remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, said that ties with Washington are essential for Iraq’s reconstruction.

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