Iraq's Shia bloc reaffirms backing for Maliki despite Trump's warnings

Iraq's alliance of Shia political blocs, the Coordination Framework, reaffirmed on Saturday its support for former premier Nouri al-Maliki to lead the next government, despite a warning from US President Donald Trump that Washington would no longer help Iraq if Maliki returned to power.

The bloc, which holds a majority in parliament, picked Maliki, Iraq's first elected prime minister after a US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, as its nominee for the post following an election.

"The choice of the prime minister is a purely Iraqi constitutional matter and should proceed without foreign interference," the Coordination Framework said in a statement, adding that it seeks balanced relations with international partners based on mutual respect.

Last week, Maliki was endorsed as Iraq's next prime minister by the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shia groups with varying degrees of links to Iran that has emerged in recent years as the main ruling coalition.

But. a few days later, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum, declaring Maliki a "very bad choice" and if he was elected the US "will no longer help Iraq".

Trump's threats are the starkest example yet of the Republican president's campaign to curb Iran-linked groups' influence in Iraq, which has long walked a tightrope between its two closest allies, Washington and Tehran.

Maliki, a powerbroker and shrewd politician, is Iraq's only two-term prime minister, having led the government between 2006 and 2014.

He enjoyed the support of the then US occupation, but later fell out with Washington over his growing ties with Iran.

On Saturday, the Coordination Framework said it "reiterates its support for its nominee".

"Choosing the prime minister is an exclusively Iraqi constitutional matter ... free from foreign interference," it said.

It added that it is committed to a "balanced relations with the international community, especially key global powers, based on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs."

'Final'

After decades of conflict and chaos, Iraq has recently regained a sense of normalcy, yet its politics is haunted by the struggle to balance its relations with Iran and the United States.

The framework's statement came on the eve of a parliament session scheduled to elect the country's president. But amid political disputes, it is unclear whether the required quorum will be reached.

Once elected, the president will have 15 days to appoint a prime minister, typically nominated by the largest Shia bloc.

By convention, a Shia holds the powerful post of prime minister, the parliament speaker is a Sunni and the largely ceremonial presidency goes to a Kurd.

But the Kurds have yet to agree on a presidential candidate and -- in a country with chronically volatile politics-driven by internal disputes and foreign pressure -- key decisions are often delayed beyond constitutional deadlines.

Two sources close to the Coordination Framework told AFP news agency that earlier this week Maliki met US representatives in Baghdad, who told him that Washington's decision is "final".

One source said that Shia leaders are divided: some wanted Maliki to retreat fearing US sanctions if he returns to office.

Iraq is struggling with weak economic growth and cannot risk punitive measures by the US, which has already taken action against several Iraqi entities, accusing them of helping Tehran evade sanctions.