Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Saleh Mutlak, also a member of the Iraqiya Coalition leadership, said Maliki would not have gained a second term as premier if it were not for the Iranian regime, al-Rafidain TV reported.
“The regime in Tehran has imposed Maliki and then Washington agreed due to its interests,” Mutlak said in an interview with the al-Hayat daily. “The Iranian regime seeks to maintain Nouri Maliki as the Iraqi premier. This issue in the end will lead to a crushing internal crisis in Iraq.”