August 2, 2010
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday his desire to serve a second term as prime minister was not holding up the formation of a new government and asked Iraqis to have patience.
In an interview aired on state television, Maliki said he would step aside if his partners came up with another candidate they could agree on, but so far they had not.
Two days earlier his main coalition allies broke off negotiations on forming a government and said they were rejecting a second term for him.
"I say to the Iraqi people, to those who say Maliki is the problem, I'm ready to freeze my nomination," he said, adding: "The problem is bigger than a single candidate."
Politicians have said the choice of a prime minister is the main stumbling block in negotiations on forming a government nearly five months after a parliamentary election.
Maliki's State of Law coalition was second to the cross-sectarian Iraqiya alliance headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. State of Law then announced a merger with the third-place finisher, the Iraqi National Alliance (INA), to form a new coalition, the National Alliance.
State of Law and INA have been unable to agree on a candidate for premier. INA said on Saturday it had halted coalition talks until Maliki's party nominated a new candidate.
The decision was a setback for the formation of a government as the United States reduces its troop strength in Iraq to 50,000 by the end of this month.
In a major speech on Iraq on Monday, President Barack Obama reiterated the U.S. timetable to end combat operations formally by August 31 and to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.
Maliki and Allawi both want the premiership.
In an interview aired on state television, Maliki said he would step aside if his partners came up with another candidate they could agree on, but so far they had not.
Two days earlier his main coalition allies broke off negotiations on forming a government and said they were rejecting a second term for him.
"I say to the Iraqi people, to those who say Maliki is the problem, I'm ready to freeze my nomination," he said, adding: "The problem is bigger than a single candidate."
Politicians have said the choice of a prime minister is the main stumbling block in negotiations on forming a government nearly five months after a parliamentary election.
Maliki's State of Law coalition was second to the cross-sectarian Iraqiya alliance headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. State of Law then announced a merger with the third-place finisher, the Iraqi National Alliance (INA), to form a new coalition, the National Alliance.
State of Law and INA have been unable to agree on a candidate for premier. INA said on Saturday it had halted coalition talks until Maliki's party nominated a new candidate.
The decision was a setback for the formation of a government as the United States reduces its troop strength in Iraq to 50,000 by the end of this month.
In a major speech on Iraq on Monday, President Barack Obama reiterated the U.S. timetable to end combat operations formally by August 31 and to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.
Maliki and Allawi both want the premiership.
Allawi said any attempt by the merged State of Law and INA, the two major Shi'ite parties, to exclude his Sunni-backed coalition from government could result in renewed sectarian violence.
Maliki said the INA, whose leaders have close ties to Shi'ite neighbor Iran, was trying to weaken the role of prime minister.
He said interference by neighbors was hampering coalition talks. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others have been accused of meddling in Iraqi politics following the March 7 election.
Maliki acknowledged Iraqis were complaining about the length of time it was taking to form a parliamentary majority.
"I tell Iraqi citizens, you have been very patient ... I ask you to show a little more patience to prevent anyone from taking the country to sectarian war and destruction."
Maliki said the INA, whose leaders have close ties to Shi'ite neighbor Iran, was trying to weaken the role of prime minister.
He said interference by neighbors was hampering coalition talks. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others have been accused of meddling in Iraqi politics following the March 7 election.
Maliki acknowledged Iraqis were complaining about the length of time it was taking to form a parliamentary majority.
"I tell Iraqi citizens, you have been very patient ... I ask you to show a little more patience to prevent anyone from taking the country to sectarian war and destruction."
