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Coordination Framework Pressuring PM to Amend Iraqi-US Strategic Agreement

This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
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Coordination Framework Pressuring PM to Amend Iraqi-US Strategic Agreement

This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)
This photo provided by Iraqi Parliament Media Office, shows Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, a candidate for Iraq's prime minister position, speaks during the parliamentary session to vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Oct.27, 2022. (Iraqi Parliament Media Office via AP, File)

Parties from the pro-Iran Coordination Framework have demanded that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani kick off negotiations to amend the Strategic Framework Agreement for a Relationship of Friendship and Cooperation between Baghdad and Washington, trusted Iraqi sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat.

The amendments would demand a ban on American drone flights and the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq.

The sources said Sudani has received signals from the American administration of its “serious intent” to bolster ties with Baghdad and develop the strategic agreement.

Such a move would place Sudani in a “fierce confrontation” with the Shiite parties that oppose American presence in Iraq.

Independent MP Mustafa al-Sanad had previously revealed that the US had requested Sudani’s presence in Washington to complete agreements struck with the former government.

A political source close to the Coordination Framework told Asharq Al-Awsat that Shiite parties had recently underscored to Sudani the fundamentals of Iraq’s security and interests.

At the top of their demands was barring flights of American drones and the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, including the Kurdistan region.

The source said the Shiite proposals went against Sudani’s efforts to maintain Iraq’s balanced ties with the US and Iran.

Last week, Asharq Al-Awsat revealed that the Coordination Framework was divided over claims that Sudani was developing relations with American officials, including Ambassador Alina Romanowski. Some parties were alarmed by the rapprochement.

A member of the Framework, Turki al-Otaibi had said Washington was using the strategic agreement with Iraq as a cover for its continued drone flights over the country, reported local media.

Moreover, he accused Washington of committing major economic and financial violations in Iraq.

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Arab World

Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
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Aoun Leading Efforts to Avert Shiite Boycott of New Lebanese Govt

A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency Press Office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (C) attending a meeting with Lebanese parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, Lebanon, 14 January 2025. (Lebanese Presidency Press Office)

Lebanon’s Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to kick off parliamentary consultations to form a new government.

He assured that it will “not exclude anyone”, but seek “unity and partnership.”

Asharq Al-Awsat learned that President Joseph Aoun is leading efforts to avert a Shiite boycott of the new government after the “Shiite duo” of the Hezbollah and Amal movement, which is led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, refrained from naming Salam for the position of PM during Monday’s consultations.

Their abstention has raised fears that the new government will not be constitutional without the representation of the largest Shiite parties in the country.

Reports have said that the duo may boycott the parliamentary consultations to form a government that Salam will hold on Wednesday.

Sources said the duo may skip the first day of talks, which will conclude on Thursday, to demonstrate its “annoyance” with the developments.

Berri, however, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “situation is not that negative”. He did not elaborate on the duo’s next steps.

Moreover, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that French President Macron had even intervened to avoid a dispute over the government, holding telephone talks with Aoun and Berri.

Salam’s appointment as prime minister came as a major shock given the large number of votes he won from the parliamentary blocs, compared to his predecessor Najib Mikati and against the will of the Shiite duo. In past years, Hezbollah has repeatedly blocked Salam from becoming prime minister.

Aoun stressed the need to “avoid placing obstacles in the government formation process.”

Aoun held a meeting with Salam at the presidential palace on Tuesday before later being joined by Berri, who left the palace without making a statement.

After the talks, Salam spoke before reporters to express his gratitude to parliament and the people for entrusting him with the “difficult task of serving Lebanon” and “achieving the people’s dreams.”

“It is time to open a new chapter that is rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunity, so that Lebanon can be a nation of free people who are equal under their rights,” he added.

On the possible boycott of the Shiite duo, he said he was against exclusion and on the contrary supported unity. “This is my sincere call, and my hands are extended to everyone,” he added.

The formation of a government in Lebanon often takes months due to political wrangling.

Aoun said on Tuesday that Lebanon has a “very major opportunity that we should all seize.”

He received a delegation from the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council.

“Obstacles must not be placed in the formation process,” he urged. “We must send positive signals to the international community that Lebanon can govern itself, carry out reconstruction transparently and build the state that we are all calling for.”

“If one segment of Lebanon is broken, then the whole country will break,” he stressed, saying Monday’s consultations to appoint Salam were a democratic process and that the public interest remains the top priority.

Aoun, who was elected last week, added that he has declined visits from well-wishers over his election “out of respect for the martyrs” who were killed during Israel’s war on Lebanon, which ended with a ceasefire in November.