Iraq aspires for strong government: Maliki tells Mcgurk

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Vice President Nuri al-Maliki has said that Iraq aspires for a strong government and improvement to citizens’ services after the end of the recent parliamentary elections.

A statement by his office said Maliki received Thursday Brett Mcgurk, envoy of the United States president to the international coalition against Islamic State.

“During the meeting, both discussed the political and security situation in Iraq and the region, and means to reinforce bilateral ties between the two friendly countries,” the statement read.

Maliki “stressed that the post-election period shall be that of reconstruction and upgrade of services, especially at regions affected by the war against  terrorism”, highlighting “the necessity of joint cooperation between Baghdad and Washington in all fields.

Maliki, according to the statement, “pointed that the Iraqi people are looking forward to a strong government that can meet their legitimate aspirations”.

’Maliki, a former prime minister and an ardent ally of Iran, has made poor results through his State lf the Law bloc during the parliamentary elections held last Saturday. Incumbent Prime Minister  Haider al-Abadi came third as per preliminary results of the elections. First came Saeroon list, sponsored by Shia leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, a populist seeking to break away from Iranian influence and scathingly opposed to foreign military presence in Iraq. Second came al-Fatah, an alliance of former leaders of the Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces, the Shia-led troops that backed government forces campaign, under Abadi, to drive out Islamic State militants since 2014.

Final results of the vote are yet to be announced within these days.