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BAGHDAD — Iraq’s embattled prime minister says his critics want a weak leader for the nation, which would break up and descend into sectarianism if they have their way. Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he is an easy target for criticism because he uses blunt words when discussing threats to Iraq’s people or institutions.
His comments were aired on state-run television just hours after President Barack Obama reaffirmed plans to remove all but 50,000 U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the month.
Al-Maliki’s chances of leading Iraq’s next government have been thrown in doubt by the refusal of his Shiite allies to back him for another term in office.
