Iraq Shia Alliance Nominates Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for Leadership Role

Iraqi Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki Nominated as Next Premier

A coalition of Shia political blocs has nominated former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as the country’s next premier, according to a statement released on Saturday. The Shia Coordination Framework announced its decision based on al-Maliki’s “political and administrative experience” and his role in managing the state.

Al-Maliki, 75, first became prime minister in 2006, during a period of significant turmoil in Iraq following the US-led invasion in 2003. He stepped down in 2014 after ISIL seized large parts of the country. Despite this, he has maintained a prominent position in Iraqi politics, leading the State of Law coalition and maintaining ties with Iran-backed factions.

The nomination sets the stage for negotiations aimed at forming a new government, which will need to address powerful armed groups close to Iran, such as Asaib Ahl al-Haq. The US has expressed pressure on Iraq to dismantle these groups. Al-Maliki served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014 and was the country’s only two-term premier since the US-led invasion.

Al-Maliki spent nearly a quarter of a century in exile after campaigning against the governance of former President Saddam Hussein, but returned to Iraq following the 2003 invasion. He became a member of the de-Baathification commission that barred members of Saddam’s Baath party from public office.

Source: Al Jazeera