BAGHDAD, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Friday stressed the need to respect Iraq's sovereignty during a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, as the country's government formation remains deadlocked by political infighting and external pressure months after parliamentary elections.
According to a statement from al-Maliki's office, the discussion centered on Iraq's political landscape and national priorities, with Al-Maliki emphasizing support for the democratic process and political stability.
For his part, Barrack acknowledged Iraq's crucial role in resolving regional problems, de-escalating conflicts, supporting dialogue, and combating terrorism.
The meeting came as Iraq remains mired in political deadlock following parliamentary elections in November. Under the constitution, the parliament must elect a president within 30 days of its first session, which was held on Dec. 29. The president then has 15 days to nominate the leader of the largest parliamentary bloc as the prime minister to form a new cabinet, which must win a confidence vote within 30 days.
However, the presidential election remains stalled as the two main Kurdish parties failed to agree on a consensus candidate for the presidential post as well as the lack of quorum.
On Jan. 24, Iraq's Coordination Framework, an umbrella alliance of Shiite parties and the largest parliamentary bloc, nominated al-Maliki to head the next government. The move drew a warning from U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington would "no longer help Iraq" if al-Maliki returned to power. Al-Maliki later dismissed Trump's comments as "blatant U.S. interference" violating Iraqi sovereignty.
Al-Maliki, born in 1950, is the leader of the State of Law Coalition and previously served two terms as Iraq's prime minister from 2006 to 2014.
Under Iraq's post-2003 ethno-sectarian power-sharing system, the presidency is reserved for a Kurd, the parliamentary speakership for a Sunni, and the prime ministership for a Shiite. ■
