Maliki says Mojtaba Khamenei selection shows ‘high confidence’ in his leadership

BAGHDAD — State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki sent a congratulatory message Monday to Mojtaba Khamenei following his selection as Iran’s new supreme leader, saying the appointment reflects “high confidence in his knowledge, competence, and role in leading the nation during this sensitive stage.”

Maliki congratulated “the Muslim Iranian people and His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei on receiving the people’s trust through the Assembly of Experts,” and praised Iranians for showing “courage and the ability to endure hardships” by quickly filling the leadership vacancy following the killing of his father.

“The harsh conditions of war, grief and pain did not distract the Iranian people from preserving the course of the Islamic Republic and maintaining strong popular momentum in confronting aggression,” Maliki said.

Maliki’s message follows similar congratulations from a string of prominent Iraqi political and armed factions, including Kata’ib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, Asaib Ahl al-Haq and the Hikma Movement.

The message is notable given Maliki’s position as the Coordination Framework’s candidate for prime minister, a candidacy that has drawn sharp U.S. opposition.