Baghdad, Iraq – The incoming prime minister told neighboring nations in an interview televised Tuesday not to interfere in Iraq, while expressing gratitude to them for sheltering dissidents during Saddam Hussein’s rule.
Jawad al-Maliki made the comment during an interview with Iraqi state television, his first since he was tapped three days ago to form a new government.
Al-Maliki, a Shiite who spent years in exile in Syria, thanked Iran, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for sheltering Hussein’s opponents.
But he added that such gratitude did not mean Iraqis would tolerate “security interference” or involvement with “certain movements inside Iraq.”
His remarks appeared directed primarily at Shiite-dominated Iran, which sheltered Iraqi Shiite groups that now wield great political influence here, and at Syria, which has been accused of harboring Hussein loyalists directing the Sunni insurgency.
Al-Maliki also promised to appoint independents to the defense and interior ministry posts. U.S. officials have insisted that those holding security portfolios have no ties to sectarian militias blamed for worsening tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.
In an overture to disaffected Sunnis, al-Maliki, who had a reputation as a strong proponent of Shiite rights, said the entry of Sunnis into the government could help defeat terrorism.
