The coordination framework is heading towards a “crucial” meeting before the end of a new US deadline.
The coordination framework is heading towards a “crucial” meeting before the end of a new US deadline.
2026-02-18 04:13
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A political source reported on Wednesday that the forces of the Coordination Framework are heading towards holding a “decisive” meeting in the coming hours to decide on their candidate for the premiership, before the end of a new American deadline on Thursday.
A source within the coordination framework told Shafaq News Agency that the consultative meetings held between some of the framework’s forces during the past two days resulted in a preliminary agreement to hold a meeting soon to make the final decision regarding the candidate for the premiership.
He explained that “Washington’s insistence on its position regarding the candidate of the coordination framework requires the Shiite forces to meet to make their final decision,” indicating that the forces will discuss a number of proposals to resolve the impasse over naming the next prime minister in light of the American message.
The source indicated that an American message reached one of the leaders of the framework demanding a decision within 48 hours, before a request was made through a mediator to extend the deadline by an additional five days, which ends tomorrow, Thursday, making the anticipated meeting crucial.
He added that “leaders within the framework are pushing for the withdrawal of al-Maliki’s nomination, while other parties are hesitant about that.”
On Wednesday, the US State Department confirmed , in an exclusive statement to Shafaq News Agency, that Washington’s position remains “firm and unwavering” regarding the nomination of Nouri al-Maliki for the Iraqi premiership, warning that his selection would force the United States to reassess its relationship with Iraq.
The “coordination framework,” which includes ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq, is witnessing a division over the nomination of Maliki for the next government, amid American warnings of the repercussions of his selection. This has prompted forces within the coalition to try to persuade him to withdraw in order to preserve the unity of the framework, while Maliki insists on his nomination and believes that reversing it should be done by an official decision from the coalition.
The escalating American pressure on Iraq comes as a translation of President Donald Trump’s explicit threats, which included criticism of the previous course taken by Maliki when he assumed the premiership for eight years.
shafaq.com
