Abadi coalition calls US backing for Zaidi a ‘positive indicator’

BAGHDAD — The Nasr Coalition led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Saturday that Iraq’s political process has moved beyond “the most complex phase” of naming a prime minister-designate, describing U.S. ‘support’ for Ali al-Zaidi as “a positive shift” after Washington had acted as “an obstacle to some candidates.”

Salam al-Zubaidi, spokesperson for Abadi’s coalition, said al-Zaidi “enjoys broad welcome at both the domestic and international levels,” calling it “a positive indicator for paving the way toward forming a solid cabinet.” He urged political forces to “respond to international changes and move away from pressures linked to narrow interests” and called on Zaidi to be given “full freedom to choose his government team away from quota-based arrangements that may harm the public interest.”

“The success of the prime minister-designate represents success for Iraq in general and for the Coordination Framework in particular,” Zubaidi said.

The remarks follow a phone call Thursday between Zaidi and U.S. President Donald Trump, who congratulated him on his designation and extended a formal invitation to visit Washington after the government is formed. The two discussed bilateral relations and “joint work and bilateral cooperation to consolidate stability in the region,” according to a statement from the prime minister’s media office.

Zaidi was nominated Monday by the Coordination Framework following the withdrawal of both Maliki and incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The framework had initially nominated Maliki, triggering internal divisions and strong U.S. opposition, with Washington warning it could reconsider support for Iraq if he returned to power. Zaidi has 30 days to form a cabinet, draft a government program and secure parliamentary approval.