Iraq: Prime Minister Maliki Moves Against President Masum

UPDATE: Iraqi Supreme Court Rules in Maliki's Favor

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today accused the country’s president for “breaching” Iraqi constitution by not assigning premiership to his State of Law bloc, which finished first in April’s parliamentary elections. Maliki made the remarks in a surprised speech televised live on national TV. Maliki added he will lodge a complaint against President Masum, without giving any details.

Sharqiah News reported on Sunday night that the government’s security forces have encircled the residence of President Masum. There are also reports that Maliki’s forces have besieged the residence of speaker of parliament. Iraqi Special Forces are seen in several locations in Baghdad. 

US Assistant Secretary of State Brett McGurk just tweeted the administration’s support for Iraqi President Fuad Masum:

“Fully support President of Iraq Fuad Masum as guarantor of the Constitution and a PM nominee who can build a national consensus,” said McGurk. (Twitter/@brett_mngurk)

UPDATE: The state TV said the Iraqi Supreme Court said on Monday that Prime Minister's Maliki's State of Law bloc is the largest faction in the Iraqi Parliament. The ruling supports Maliki's demand that he should be asked to form the next government. 

Photo credit: Iraqi Special Forces in the Green Zone in Baghdad, 10 August 2014. (Almada Press)