Maliki, Al-Samarrai call for strengthening Iraq’s ‘internal front’

BAGHDAD — State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki met Monday with Azm Alliance leader Muthanna al-Samarrai to discuss the regional war and its impact on Iraq, with both sides stressing the need to “strengthen the internal front” and ensure the functioning of state institutions.

The meeting comes as government formation remains deadlocked more than three months after the November elections. The Coordination Framework nominated Maliki as its prime ministerial candidate, but the United States publicly objected, with Trump warning Washington could “halt support for Iraq” if Maliki returned to power. A senior Coordination Framework ally said last week that the alliance had reached a consensus that “it would be difficult to proceed with Mr. Maliki’s nomination” — though Maliki has not formally stepped aside.