Maliki affirms commitment to balance Iraq's relations with Washington, Tehran

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told AFP that he is committed to Iraq’s relationship with Iran, its eastern neighbor, while also recognizing the importance of relations with the United States.

During an interview with the agency today, he commented on Iraq's ties with Iran, stating: "We do not want to undermine our relationship with Iran. We share a 1,300-kilometer border with them, and we have common interests."

However, he emphasized that "the relationship with the U.S. is essential for Iraq's development." "For Iraq to progress as a state, it needs a strong, large, and supportive country, and the U.S. has experience in fostering nations."

Maliki, who is a candidate for the next prime minister of Iraq, reaffirmed his position on keeping weapons under the control of the state, which the U.S. also demands.

He stated: "Yes, there are pressures from the U.S., and multiple messages have arrived, but they have recently settled on demands related to the state."

He added: "In reality, the U.S. hasn’t introduced anything new. These are our demands. We want to restrict arms to the state. We want centralized military power. We have repeatedly said that we want a single army under one command, directly managed by the state, with no division in the control of arms."

Maliki also confirmed during the interview that he would not withdraw his candidacy for prime minister, despite U.S. opposition.

He said: "I have no intention of withdrawing, ever, because I have respect for the state I belong to, its sovereignty, and its will. No one has the right to say 'don’t elect so-and-so, elect so-and-so.'"

He pointed out that the Coordination Framework, which forms the largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament and consists of major Shiite parties, most of which are close to Iran, "agreed on this candidacy. Therefore, out of respect for the position, I will not withdraw, and I have said many times that there will be no withdrawal, until the end."

ANHA