Obama Approves of Iraq's 'Promising Step Forward' amid Political Turmoil

Reached for comment during his fifteen-day vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, President Barack Obama said that he sees Iraq’s nomination of Haider al-Abadi as its next Prime Minister as a “promising step forward.”

Obama in Martha’s Vineyard (Credit: White House)

Incumbent Prime Minister Nouri Maliki said Abadi’s nomination as the new Iraqi PM was a direct “violation” of Iraq’s constitution that would likely create further political dissolution. Speaking on Iraqi state television, Maliki said he would “fix the mistake.”

Haider al-Abadi (AP)

Obama said of Baghdad’s continuing political turmoil, “The only lasting solution is for Iraqis to come together.” He continued, stressing that the new Iraqi leadership structure “has a difficult task to regain the confidence of its citizens by governing inclusively and taking steps to demonstrate its resolve.” Obama said that he told new PM Abadi he strongly recommends creating a multi-ethnic governing structure that represents the broad spectrum of Iraq’s citizenry.

The US State Department also weighed in on the ouster of Maliki by Iraqi President Fuad Masum:

The United States welcomes Iraqi President Fuad Masum’s charging of the nominee of the largest bloc in the Council of Representatives, Dr. Haider Al-Abadi, with the formation of a new government. This signifies the successful completion of the third step in Iraq’s constitutionally mandated government formation process, following the election of the Speaker of Parliament and the election of the President of the Republic in July.

The United States applauds President Masum’s fulfillment of his constitutional duties and urges the Prime Minister-designate to form a government that is representative of the Iraqi people and inclusive of Iraq’s religious and ethnic identities. The Prime-Minister designate should present the members of his proposed new government to the Council of Representatives consistent with Iraq’s constitutional timeline.

The United States will continue to support Iraq’s democratic process and stand with the Iraqi people in their fight against terrorism.

The United States continued its air campaign against the Islamic State terror group Monday, as the US Air Force neutralized what military officials called an Islamic State checkpoint near Mount Sinjar, where over 20,000 of Iraq’s Yazidi minority are taking refuge from the terror group.  

The President said that U.S. forces have “successfully conducted targeted airstrikes to prevent terrorist forces from advancing on the city of Erbil and to protect the American civilians there.” He said of the humanitarian crisis on Mt. Sinar, “Some have begun to escape their perch on the mountain, and we’re working with international partners to develop options to bring them to safety.”