NCRI – A leader of the Iraqiya coalition, which came out as the winner of Iraq’s parliamentary elections, has rejected the premiership of incumbent Nouri al-Maliki, saying “a second round of dictatorship is unacceptable.”
In an interview with al-Sharqiya TV on Sunday, Dr. Saleh Mutlak, added, “The political battle lines have been drawn in Iraq; the proponents of Iranian designs are facing off with supporters of the national will.”
“Our hope is that the side which aligns with national will and determination would flourish so that it can form the next government as soon as possible.”
Dr. Mutlak added, “The front tied to foreign designs will face defeat in carrying out its desired plans.”
Condemning the Iranian regime’s meddling in Iraqi affairs, he added, “The new government must be the outcome of the Iraqi national agenda,” al-Sharqiya TV reported.
Also on Sunday, a senior Iraqi official backed Iraqiya list’s right to form the next government. In an interview with Asharq al-Awsat, Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi said, “The constitution says that the largest parliamentary faction must form the government. Based on the confirmed election results, that faction is Iraqiya.”
Mr. Hashemi warned that, “If a solution is not found through political discourse, then one of the emergency alternatives at disposal in Iraq would be to call for a re-election.”