Iraqi PM Candidate Nouri al-Maliki Meets US Diplomat Amidst US Pressure

Baghdad. Nouri al-Maliki, the leading candidate for Iraq's next prime minister, met with US diplomat Timmy Barrack on Friday.

Barrack, the US Special Envoy for Syria and Ambassador to Turkey, has visited Iraq several times recently to meet with senior Iraqi officials.

A statement issued by Maliki's media office said, "The prime ministerial candidate emphasized in the meeting the need to respect Iraq's sovereignty and the will of its people."

He also stressed the importance of 'supporting the democratic process and strengthening political stability' in Iraq.

It is unclear what message Barrack conveyed to Maliki.

Last month, US President Donald Trump intervened in Iraqi affairs, warning twice that the US would cease aid to Iraq if Maliki, who has close ties with Iran, were appointed as the future prime minister.

Trump's warning particularly put Iraqi leaders within the Coordination Framework at a disadvantage. The ruling coalition of Shiite groups, which has varying degrees of ties with Iran, nominated Maliki.

Earlier this week, Maliki told AFP that he would not withdraw his nomination.

"I have no intention of backing down from respecting my country, its sovereignty, and its will," Maliki told AFP in an interview.