Maliki signals he’ll step aside peacefully, easing tensions in Baghdad

[bemildred]

Source: McClatchy

BAGHDAD — Tensions eased in Iraq’s capital Tuesday as Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki gave his first signals that he’s preparing to step down from his post as Prime Minister-designate Haider al Abadi began forming a new government.

In a statement, Maliki urged the nation’s military “to stay away from the political crisis,” indicating that he won’t use the armed forces to hold on to his office.

It was a significant reversal in tone for Maliki, who on Monday held a press conference in which he and political allies accused Abadi of a power grab and said they would fight his appointment.

At the same time, Maliki lost one of his most important allies when top officials in the Iranian government publicly embraced Abadi’s nomination.

Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/08/12/3796852/iraqs-maliki-tells-army-to-keep.html#storylink=rss

[samsingh]

1. good for him

[TwilightGardener]

2. Hey, not totally delusional! What a nice surprise.

[bemildred]

3. US ready to help new Iraq leader, Iran welcomes

Haider al-Abadi still faces a threat closer to home, where his Shiite party colleague Nouri al-Maliki has refused to step aside after eight years as premier that have alienated Iraq’s once dominant Sunni minority and irked Washington and Tehran.

However, a senior government official said commanders of military forces that Maliki deployed around Baghdad on Monday had pledged loyalty to President Fouad Masoum and to respect the head of state’s decision to ask Abadi to form a new government.

As Western powers and international aid agencies considered further help for tens of thousands of people driven from their homes and under threat from the Sunni militants of the “Islamic State” (IS) near the Syrian border, Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States would consider requests for military and other assistance once Abadi forms a government to unite the country.

Underscoring the convergence of interest in Iraq that marks the normally hostile relationship between Washington and Iran, the head of Tehran’s National Security Council congratulated Abadi on his nomination. Like Western powers, Iran has been alarmed by the rise of Sunni militants across Syria and Iraq.

http://www.todayszaman.com/world_us-ready-to-help-new-iraq-leader-iran-welcomes_355363.html

[candelista]

4. Behold our ex-puppet, in whom we are well pleased.

You gotta hand it to Maliki. He managed to stay in power for a long time by walking a razor's edge between serving his US masters and accommodating domestic interest groups.

[KoKo]

5. Is it too crass to ask...How much was he paid?

What treats and perks induced him to step down...rather than just "losing his most important allies." Did we pay them, too?

I'm too cynical....

[DeSwiss]

6. Someone finally explained.....

...the generous retirement plans in more detail to him.

It includes, Club Med™ membership. Discounts on vacations and swimwear. As well as a honorary senior citizen discounts of 15% on all purchases made at US facilities and military bases he might frequent -- on the off-chance he should reach the age of 65.

- And the main benefit? Reaching age 65.....

K&R

[center][/center]

[femmocrat]

7. Just heard on MSNBC that US threatened to cut off aid if he didn't resign.

No link at this time, but I heard it on Ronan Farrow's show.

[SunSeeker]

8. Good news. nt

[jamzrockz]

9. Ah, another reminder that

The colonial master never really left. This is the same story in most African and ME countries where the west still call the shots. They dictate domestic policy via IMF and world bank and foreign policy via NATO and the US military.

I am guessing the picture of him sitting with the much hated Assad didn't go down too well with the western masters and continuing to all Iranian military supplies to Syria must have been the straw that broke the camels back. Good luck to the new puppet, I hope he doesn't try to go rogue like the last one.

[bigwillq]

10. Smart move by him

[roamer65]

11. Too little, too late.

The IS genie is out of the bottle.

[alp227]

12. updated article:

U.S. dispatches more troops to northern Iraq as Yazidi crisis grows

BAGHDAD — The crisis over who will be Iraq’s next prime minister faded in Baghdad on Tuesday after Iran joined the United States in embracing the appointment of Haider al Abadi to replace Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.

But it was quickly replaced by growing concern that the effort to rescue tens of thousands of Yazidi refugees in northern Iraq was failing and would require far more resources than President Barack Obama indicated in a nationally televised speech last week.

The Pentagon dispatched an additional 130 U.S. military personnel to northern Iraq to “develop additional humanitarian assistance options,” the Obama administration announced late Tuesday, It was an indication that the current effort to drop fresh water and meals-ready-to-eat to the refugees, who at one time were thought to number 40,000, might soon grow larger.

It came as Great Britain announced it had sent aircraft, including Chinook helicopters, to the area and was engaged in “urgent planning” with the United States “to get those trapped on the mountainside to safety.”

NY Times: Maliki’s Bid to Keep Power in Iraq Seems to Collapse

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s defiant fight to retain power in Iraq appeared to collapse on Tuesday after his former backers in Iran, the military and his own party all signaled that he could no longer expect their support.

He issued a statement saying that the security forces, which he had deployed around the capital on Monday in what some took to be preparations for a coup, should stay out of politics. And the conversation in Baghdad shifted to how he would leave office and on what terms.

The shift came after Mr. Maliki made several last-ditch efforts to shore up support, only to be confronted late Monday night with delegations of officials, all pleading with him to back down for the good of the country.

[Uncle Joe]

13. I hope it's a good transition and al Abadi does indeed form an inclusive government.

Thanks for the thread, bemildred.

[Baclava]

14. Looks like that report was just wishful thinking - "Malki refuses to go '

(Reuters) - Nuri al-Maliki stuck to his guns and refused to accept his removal as Iraq's prime minister on Wednesday

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/13/us-iraq-security-idUSKBN0GD13T20140813