Maliki visits Zaidi to stress cooperation despite complaints over confidence vote

BAGHDAD — State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki visited Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Sunday, with both sides stressing the need for political cooperation to complete the government lineup — even as Maliki’s coalition continued to accuse parliament leadership of manipulating the confidence vote that approved the cabinet days earlier.

Zaidi’s office said the meeting addressed the overall situation in the country and the importance of “unifying positions and visions to support the government, back it, and implement its program and plans.” Both sides emphasized the need to combine efforts among national political forces “to complete the government formation and enable it to perform its role in order to overcome current challenges.”

The visit came hours after State of Law lawmaker Yousef al-Kalabi accused parliamentary leadership of using its authority “to confiscate the votes of lawmakers” during Thursday’s cabinet vote, describing events as “a clear betrayal and an insult to the council.” On Saturday, Hisham al-Rikabi, head of media for Maliki, accused Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi of procedural violations that caused interior ministry nominee Lt. Gen. Qassem Atta to fail despite receiving what he claims was majority support.

Parliament approved 14 ministers Thursday during a session attended by 266 lawmakers. Confidence was withheld from nominees for planning, culture, higher education, interior and construction and housing, while voting on defense, labor, migration and youth and sports ministries was postponed pending further political agreements.