Maliki’s office denies reports of shift in prime minister bid following Barrack meeting

BAGHDAD — The head of Nouri al-Maliki’s media office said Saturday that the State of Law Coalition leader has not changed his position on seeking the prime ministership, dismissing reports of a shift following a meeting with U.S. envoy Tom Barrack.

“There is no change in his position, and everything being circulated in this regard does not rely on real data,” Hisham al-Rikabi wrote on X.

Barrack visited Baghdad for the second time in a week and met with Maliki on Friday. Maliki’s office said the two discussed Iraq’s political landscape, with Maliki stressing “the necessity of respecting Iraq’s sovereignty and the choices of its people.” Barrack pointed to Iraq’s role in “reducing the intensity of conflict, supporting dialogue, and combating terrorism.”

The Coordination Framework nominated Maliki as its prime ministerial candidate following November’s elections, a move that has fueled internal divisions, drawn Sunni opposition and prompted public criticism from Washington. President Donald Trump said the United States would not continue support for Iraq if Maliki returned to office. Maliki has declined for weeks to attend framework meetings or engage with withdrawal scenarios, saying the alliance could withdraw his nomination itself if it wished.