The Iraqi Foreign Ministry announced that the Iraqi Foreign Minister met with US Envoy Matthew Tueller and his accompanying delegation, during which they discussed the process of forming the Iraqi government and the challenges associated with the nominations for the Prime Minister and President positions.
The Minister emphasized that forming the Iraqi government is an internal matter, taking into account the opinions of international partners, particularly the United States as a friendly state, ensuring the new Iraqi government interacts positively with the policies of other nations. The US envoy presented his country’s vision on the matter, while both sides stressed the importance of continuing coordination during the upcoming phase to complete the government formation process.
Concurrently, Shia blocs, parties, and currents under the coordination framework are seeking to resolve the crisis caused by naming Nouri al-Maliki as the candidate for the new Iraqi government, following US President Donald Trump’s rejection of the nomination and threats of sanctions. An atmosphere of apprehension prevails within the framework, as prominent forces in the Shia scene, led by Ammar al-Hakim and Sheikh Qais Khazali, have decided to reject Maliki’s nomination to avoid negative repercussions for Iraq. Shia political parties are currently holding side consultations to find a mechanism to exit the political deadlock and search for an alternative candidate within constitutional timelines to elect a new president and head of government for the next four years.
The Kurdish blocs are also facing a dilemma in naming a candidate for the presidency, with disagreements intensifying between the Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Masoud Barzani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan led by Jalal Talabani, each seeking parliamentary support for their preferred candidate.
According to the Foreign Ministry statement, the meeting also reviewed the bilateral relations between Iraq and the US, emphasizing the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation in various fields, particularly counter-terrorism. The US side expressed appreciation for Iraq’s move to transfer ISIS elements from foreign detention centers to Iraqi prisons, contributing to the enhancement of Iraqi sovereignty and assuming legal responsibilities.
The Minister confirmed that Iraq continues to communicate with several countries regarding the repatriation of their citizens involved in terrorism cases, noting Turkey’s approval to accept Turkish nationals among these elements. Additionally, the meeting discussed the agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian interim government, with both sides affirming support for the agreement and its implementation due to its direct impact on
