Iran meddling in formation of Iraq cabinet
SULAIMANI IN BAGHDAD, ‘RULES OUT’ TIE-UP THAT HAS AL SADR DESPITE CLERIC’S BIG WIN
In yet another sign of Iran’s direct interference in the affairs of Arab states, Iranian Major General Qassem Sulaimani was holding talks with politicians in Baghdad to promote the formation of a new Iraqi cabinet that would have Tehran’s approval, two people familiar with the political process under way in Iraq told Reuters yesterday.
Iran and its allies are mustering a bid to limit the role of Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr in Iraq’s next government, after his shock election win reshaped the country’s political landscape.
Sulaimani, commander of foreign operations for Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, arrived in Iraq on Saturday, the day of the parliamentary election. Since Monday, the general has met with several members of Iraq’s old guard, including Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi and his predecessor Nouri Al Maliki, other Iraqi sources told AFP.
According to these officials, Sulaimani “ruled out” any alliance with Al Sadr.
For his part, Al Sadr has made it clear he is unwilling to compromise with Iran by forming a coalition with its main allies, Hadi Al Ameri, leader of the Badr paramilitary group, and Al Maliki.
Al Sadr is one of the few Iraqi politicians opposed to both the presence of American troops and the heavy influence that Iran exercises over Iraq.
Iran wants to exert pressure so that Al Ameri and Al Maliki play a part in the new cabinet.
Saturday’s vote — which saw record high abstentions — was a slap in the face to the widely reviled elite that has dominated Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussain.
Iranian Major General Qassem Sulaimani is holding talks with politicians in Baghdad to promote the formation of a new Iraqi cabinet that would have Iran’s approval, two people familiar with the political process underway in Iraq said yesterday.
Sulaimani, commander of foreign operations for Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, arrived in Iraq on Saturday, the day of the parliamentary election.
Initial nationwide results showed a surprise victory for the bloc that supports populist cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, a Shiite not aligned with Iran who campaigned on a nationalist platform, tapping into public resentment against corruption and huge social disparities.
Sulaimani is holding talks with rival politicians to pave the way for an agreement to form a Shiite ruling coalition, said a person acting as an intermediary between Al Sadr, other senior politicians and a Shiite candidate.
Formal talks to set up a governing coalition will start after the announcement of the final results, expected later this week.
Iran has publicly stated it would not allow Al Sadr’s bloc — an unlikely alliance of Shiites, communists and other secular groups — to govern. For his part, Al Sadr has made clear he is unwilling to compromise with Iran by forming a coalition with its main allies, Hadi Al Ameri, leader of the Badr paramilitary group, and former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki.