Former PM al-Maliki says won’t run for Iraq premiership

By Arif Yusuf

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki announced on Sunday that he does not plan to run for the post of prime minister.
Al-Maliki, who leads the State of Law coalition, was elected a prime minister in 2006 and served for another term between 2010 and 2014.

“When I announced years ago that I will not run for minister I was based on a vision that I am still committed to… and now I confirm my decision for the same reasons and vision,” al-Maliki said in a statement.

The former premier said he would support the upcoming prime minister to carry out reforms and accomplish his national tasks.

The remarks came a day before the new parliament convenes for its first session.
Last month, Iraq's electoral commission announced that a manual recount of the May 12 parliamentary elections more or less the same as the initial electronic vote count.

The vote results were approved by the Iraqi Federal Court.

According to the results, Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition won 54 parliamentary seats, followed by a Hashd al-Shaabi-led coalition (47 seats) and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's Victory Bloc (42 seats).

Within 30 days of the first parliament session, the assembly will elect -- by a two-thirds majority -- the country’s next president.

The president will then task the largest bloc in parliament with drawing up a government, which must be referred back to parliament for approval.