Iraq PM Al-Maliki warns of more turmoil if replaced
15 Aug 2014 4:48 AM IST
The embattled premier has grown increasingly isolated, with Iraqi politicians and much of the international community lining up behind Haider al-Abadi, a fellow member of his Shiite Dawa party tasked by the president with forming a new government that can unite the country in the face of an onslaught by Sunni militants.
‘Holding on (to the premiership) is an ethical and patriotic duty to defend the rights of voters,’ he said in his weekly televised address to the nation. ‘The insistence on this until the end is to protect the state.’
Al-Maliki on Monday vowed legal action against President Fouad Massoum for carrying out ‘a coup’ against the constitution.
‘Why do we insist that this government continue and stay as is until a decision by the federal court is issued?’ he asked, answering: ‘It is a constitutional violation -- a conspiracy planned from the inside or from out.’
Iraqi troops imposed heightened security in Baghdad on Wednesday as international support mounted for a political transition.
Tanks and Humvees were positioned on Baghdad bridges and at major intersections on Wednesday, with security personnel more visible than usual. About 100 pro-Maliki demonstrators took to Firdous Square in the capital, pledging their allegiance to him.
Widespread discontent with al-Maliki’s divisive rule has reached the point where both Saudi Arabia and Iran -- regional rivals often bitterly divided over Iraq -- have expressed support for al-Abadi.
The US, the European Union and the United Nations have also expressed support for new leadership.
But al-Maliki, whose bloc won the most votes in April elections, has thus far refused to step aside and rejected the appointment of al-Abadi as unconstitutional.
Al-Abadi was selected by the main Shiite alliance which includes al-Maliki’s bloc, but the Islamic Dawa party says al-Abadi ‘only represents himself.’
‘Holding on (to the premiership) is an ethical and patriotic duty to defend the rights of voters,’ he said in his weekly televised address to the nation. ‘The insistence on this until the end is to protect the state.’
Al-Maliki on Monday vowed legal action against President Fouad Massoum for carrying out ‘a coup’ against the constitution.
‘Why do we insist that this government continue and stay as is until a decision by the federal court is issued?’ he asked, answering: ‘It is a constitutional violation -- a conspiracy planned from the inside or from out.’
Iraqi troops imposed heightened security in Baghdad on Wednesday as international support mounted for a political transition.
Tanks and Humvees were positioned on Baghdad bridges and at major intersections on Wednesday, with security personnel more visible than usual. About 100 pro-Maliki demonstrators took to Firdous Square in the capital, pledging their allegiance to him.
Widespread discontent with al-Maliki’s divisive rule has reached the point where both Saudi Arabia and Iran -- regional rivals often bitterly divided over Iraq -- have expressed support for al-Abadi.
The US, the European Union and the United Nations have also expressed support for new leadership.
But al-Maliki, whose bloc won the most votes in April elections, has thus far refused to step aside and rejected the appointment of al-Abadi as unconstitutional.
Al-Abadi was selected by the main Shiite alliance which includes al-Maliki’s bloc, but the Islamic Dawa party says al-Abadi ‘only represents himself.’
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