BAGHDAD: Iraq’s main candidate for the premiership, Nouri Al-Maliki, on Wednesday denounced Washington’s “blatant interference,” after President Donald Trump threatened to end all support to the country if Al-Maliki took the post. The US has held significant sway over Iraqi politics since leading the 2003 invasion that ousted long-time ruler Saddam Hussein. “We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs,” said Maliki, the only former Iraqi prime minister to have served two terms since the invasion.

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iraq on Sunday against a pro-Iranian government as the expected return of Nouri Al-Maliki as prime minister stirs Washington’s…

Al-Maliki has been nominated by the largest Shia bloc in parliament as its candidate for PM.