Iranian Official Lauds Coordination among Iraqi Politicians

Ali Shamkhani on Friday hailed the compromise and solidarity among the Iraqi political leaders and groups as a “clear sign of political maturity and democracy” in the Arab country, describing that as result of public battle against despotism, foreign hegemony and terrorism.

His comments came after Maliki, the embattled prime minister of Iraq, announced on Thursday that he was stepping down, paving the way for the formation of a new government.

In a speech, Iraq’s two-term leader Maliki said that he accepted the candidacy of Haider al-Abadi, nominated last week by the Iraqi president to form the cabinet.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Shamkhani expressed the confidence that “wise Iraqi leaders would restore security, stability and welfare” to their country by thwarting the plots hatched by the aliens.

He underlined that the recent upheaval in Iraq’s political arena revealed that its leaders always make “national interests and security” a priority despite some disagreements.

The Iranian official further noted that convergence between the Iraqi politicians has discouraged the enemies, whom he said had mounted a propaganda campaign to stir rift among the Muslim brothers.

Maliki had been struggling for weeks to stay for a third four-year term as prime minister amid an attempt by opponents to push him out. The pressure intensified when his Shiite political alliance backed another member of his party, Abadi, to replace him, and President Fouad Massoum nominated Abadi to form the next government.

Maliki first refused to step aside, saying the nomination violates the constitution. But in a meeting of his party on Thursday evening, Maliki agreed to endorse Abadi as the next prime minister.