A senior figure in Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework revealed to Alhurra details of what transpired during a meeting between U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack and former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is seeking a third term.
Barrack arrived in Baghdad on Friday on his second visit to Iraq this week, during which he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, President of the Supreme Judicial Council Faiq Zaidan, and al-Maliki.
Barrack made no public comment regarding his meeting with al-Maliki as of the time of publication. Al-Maliki’s office, for its part, said only that the former prime minister stressed the need to respect Iraq’s sovereignty and the choices of its people, and emphasized the continuation of communication and coordination between the two sides on issues of mutual interest.
The Coordination Framework figure said the meeting, which took place in the afternoon Baghdad time, resulted in “the definitive end of al-Maliki’s chances of securing a third term,” after Barrack told him plainly: “You have no chance.”
The official, who requested anonymity, said the message delivered by Barrack to al-Maliki was as follows: “You have no chance of becoming prime minister. You can avoid serious sanctions on Iraq—and on yourself personally.”
He added that Barrack also told al-Maliki: “Washington has no personal problem with you. You can assume another position.”
Another source within the Coordination Framework confirmed to Alhurra that Barrack told al-Maliki his “support for armed factions and refusal to dissolve the Popular Mobilization Forces sent negative signals that run counter to Washington’s position and to what a democratic Iraq should be.”
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The source quoted Barrack as telling al-Maliki: “Another figure must be nominated—someone capable of leading Iraq amid regional and global developments, and of keeping the country away from axes that could drag it into chaos.”
Efforts to nominate al-Maliki for a third term have grown more complicated after U.S. President Donald Trump warned earlier this month that Washington would provide no support to Iraq if al-Maliki were to return to power.
Al-Maliki is the nominee of the Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite political forces that won a parliamentary majority in the November elections—granting it, under the constitution, the right to nominate a prime minister.
Earlier this week, Iraqi political sources told Alhurra that the prevailing mood within the Coordination Framework favors withdrawing al-Maliki’s nomination, amid mounting U.S. pressure and growing opposition to his candidacy from within the coalition itself.
On Thursday, an Iraqi official disclosed to Alhurra the substance of a new message Washington sent to Baghdad regarding al-Maliki’s nomination for the new government—a message carried by Barrack during his visit days earlier.
A government adviser said Barrack stated during his meetings that the United States would begin imposing sanctions on Iraq by the end of this week or the beginning of next week. The sanctions, he said, would “start with political figures and former officials and later expand to include government institutions and private-sector entities—specifically banks responsible for foreign financial transfers.”
Responding to inquiries from Alhurra about the validity of the U.S. warning and whether there was a timeline for sanctions, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said: “We do not pre-announce sanctions, nor do we comment on private diplomatic discussions.”
The U.S. State Department told Alhurra last week that Washington would reassess its relationship with Iraq if the country moved ahead with al-Maliki’s nomination.
The article is a translation of the original Arabic.
Mustafa Saadoon
Mustafa Saadoon is an Iraqi journalist who has worked for several international and Arab media organizations. He covers politics and human rights.
