Sadr calls all parties to cut talks over government formation with US, neighboring countries

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The leader of the Sairoon Coalition has called on political parties in Iraq to end all negotiations with the United States and neighboring countries over the formation of the next government.

Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of Sairoon, in a tweet on Sunday called on all Iraqi political parties to distance themselves from sectarian and ethnic-based coalitions, expressing his readiness to cooperate with the parties.

“The political parties have to cut talks regarding the formation of coalitions [and government] with the US and neighboring countries. This is an internal Iraqi affair only,” he said.

Instead of relying on foreign countries for the formation of a government, the political parties should rely on other nations to improve electricity, water, health, and education services, Sadr stated.

Advising the political parties, Sadr called all sides to distance themselves from sectarian and ethnic-based coalitions, adding he was “personally against any Sunni or Shia or Kurdish entrench” in the formation of the government.

“I am ready to cooperate to form a coalition away from partisan, sectarian, and ethnic divisions,” Sadr added.

On June 23, Iraq’s parliamentary election winner Sadr and current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that their political blocs would form an alliance.

Earlier this month, Sairoon and Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi’s al-Fatih Coalition, who finished runners-up in the polls, said they had reached an agreement to create the largest alliance in the next Iraqi Parliament.

During a visit to the Kurdistan Region, and following a meeting with the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Nouri al-Maliki-led State of Law and Fatih revealed intentions to create the biggest coalition in the next Iraqi Parliament with Kurdish and Sunni factions to form the new government.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany