Iraqi PM candidate Nouri al-Maliki meets US diplomat Tom Barrack, refusing to withdraw his nomination despite a US ultimatum over his Iran ties.
BAGHDAD: Leading Iraqi prime ministerial candidate Nouri al-Maliki met with senior US diplomat Tom Barrack on Friday.
The meeting occurred despite a US threat to withdraw support if the former premier, who has close ties to Iran, returns to power.
Maliki “receives US envoy Tom Barrack,” reported the official Iraqi INA press agency.
Barrack is the US envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, and has visited Iraq multiple times recently to meet senior officials.
Last month, US President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum regarding Iraq’s political process.
He stated the US would no longer help Iraq if Maliki, a two-time former premier, was named the country’s next prime minister.
Earlier this week, Maliki told AFP he would not withdraw his nomination.
“I have absolutely no intention of withdrawing out of respect for my country, its sovereignty, and its will,” Maliki said.
He also stated he was seeking to allay Washington’s concerns over his candidacy.
