Al-Maliki receives the Canadian ambassador to Iraq

Baghdad-INA
The head of the State of Law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki, confirmed on Thursday, that the absence of provincial councils is a constitutional violation, while stressing the need to hold local elections.

Al-Maliki's media office said, in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the head of the State of Law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki, received in his office today, Canada's ambassador to Iraq, Gregory Galligan on the occasion of the end of his duties in Baghdad," noting that "developments in the political and security situation and the repercussions of the events were discussed regional and international, and Iraq's relations with Canada, praising the ambassador's stances in strengthening his country's relations with Iraq, wishing him success in his next assignments."

Al-Maliki stressed that "the region is facing challenges, and these challenges may reflect negatively on Iraq, and despite all this, we have a government today that works to meet the concerns of the citizen," pointing to "the continuation of consolidating democratic action in the issue of the peaceful exchange of power."

The statement continued, "We are preparing to hold local elections and expect a large citizen turnout," noting that "the absence of provincial councils is a constitutional violation, so holding them is a matter of utmost importance."

It stated that "the coordination framework is still dealing on the basis of what formed the government and is still supportive of it and supports imposing stability and resolving problems that may arise through dialogue."

Regarding the international situation, Al-Maliki indicated his "fear of the expanding of crises in the world, especially (the Russian-Ukrainian crisis), (the Sino-American conflict), and (the phenomenon of military coups in Africa), as well as the situation in Syria and the Iranian-Israeli conflict."

In turn, the ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Canadian government to the head of the State of Law coalition, expressing his country's government's desire to strengthen the bonds of friendship with Iraq and develop bilateral cooperation at various levels."