Iraq's PM Slams Former US President Donald Trump

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani during the memorial ceremony on the third anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani and al-Muhandis (INA)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani during the memorial ceremony on the third anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani and al-Muhandis (INA)
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Iraq's PM Slams Former US President Donald Trump

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani during the memorial ceremony on the third anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani and al-Muhandis (INA)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani during the memorial ceremony on the third anniversary of the assassination of Soleimani and al-Muhandis (INA)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani strongly attacked the administration of former US President Donald Trump for carrying out the strikes that killed Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

Sudani said during a speech at a memorial ceremony on the third anniversary of the assassination that this action by the previous US administration was a "flagrant assault on Iraqi territory and sovereignty."

He condemned the assassination, saying it was against all international norms and laws and a dangerous act, warning that its repercussions could have threatened security and stability in the entire region.

"Targeting a leadership that had a role in repelling the terrorist attack on Iraq and the region is an action that does not express respect for bilateral agreements and friendship," the Iraqi premier said.

He recalled the heroism of the two and their achievements on battlefields and against the "most violent extremist terrorist group in our contemporary history," referring to ISIS.

"Our government is working to build a solid foundation for Iraqi sovereignty, an Iraq that is independent in its policies, building its relations based on common interests," he said.

The ceremony was attended by the head of the Supreme Judicial Council in Iraq, Faiq Zaidan.

Zaidan described the killing of Soleimani and Muhandis as "a treacherous and cowardly crime that has no moral basis."

He asserted that the judiciary would hold those involved in the crime accountable, adding that the court would not hesitate to take legal action.

Zaidan recalled that the judiciary issued an arrest warrant against the former US president, who confessed to committing the crime.

In January 2021, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council issued an arrest warrant for Trump for his part in the assassination of the two leaders.

The memorandum was based on the provisions of Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code in force related to premeditated murder, and its penalty is death.

The head of a committee set up by the Foreign Ministry to investigate the US assassination of Soleimani, Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, announced last Wednesday that an Iraqi judicial delegation would visit Tehran this week to discuss the case.

Kadkhodaei said in press statements that Iraq has been cooperating with Iran since the beginning, and the two countries held bilateral meetings, adding that a delegation of Iraqi judicial officials is expected to visit Iran.

He stated that cooperation has been good between the two, and the Iraqi official helped collect evidence, expecting more actions with the new cabinet.

The official noted that Iraq has obligations and agreements with the US government.



Franjieh Withdraws from Lebanon’s Presidential Race, Backs Army Commander

 People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
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Franjieh Withdraws from Lebanon’s Presidential Race, Backs Army Commander

 People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)
People look at a ballot box displayed inside the parliament building, a day ahead of Lebanon's parliament's attempt to elect a new head of state in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, January 8, 2025. (Reuters)

Head of the Marada Movement Suleiman Franjieh announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing from Lebanon’s presidential election and backing the candidacy of army commander Joseph Aoun.

Lebanon is holding the much-awaited election on Thursday.

In a post on the X platform, Franjieh said: "Now that the conditions are ripe for the election of a president tomorrow, I am withdrawing my candidacy, which has never been an obstacle in the electoral process."

He added that Aoun "enjoys the qualities that would preserve the standing of the country’s top post."

He hoped "the nation would overcome this stage with unity, diligence and responsibility."

Parliament will try to elect a president on Thursday, with officials seeing better chances of success in a political landscape shaken by Israel's war with Hezbollah and the toppling of the group's ally Bashar al-Assad in neighboring Syria.

The post, reserved for a Maronite Christian in the country's sectarian power-sharing system, has been vacant since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022. The former president is not related to army commander Aoun.

None of the political groups in the 128-seat parliament have enough seats to impose their choice, and they have so far been unable to agree on a consensus candidate. The vote marks the first test of Lebanon's power balance since the Iran-backed Shiite group Hezbollah - which propelled its then Christian ally Aoun to the presidency in 2016 - emerged badly pummeled from the war with Israel.

The Lebanese parliament building a day before a session to elect the Lebanese president, in Beirut, Lebanon, 08 January 2025. (EPA)

It takes place against a backdrop of historic change in the wider Middle East, where the Assad-led Syrian state exercised sway over Lebanon for decades, both directly and through allies such as Hezbollah.

Before Franjieh withdrew from the race and reflecting the shifts, Hezbollah and its ally the Shiite Amal Movement led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri dropped their insistence on Franjieh, their declared candidate for the last two years, and said they are ready to go with a less divisive figure, three senior sources familiar with their thinking said.

Candidates in focus include army commander General Joseph Aoun - said by Lebanese politicians to enjoy US approval - Jihad Azour, a senior International Monetary Fund official who formerly served as finance minister, and Major-General Elias al-Baysari - head of General Security, a state security agency.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said he felt happy because "God willing, tomorrow we will have a new president", according to a statement from his office.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot also expressed hope in comments to France Inter radio, saying the election was "a prerequisite for the continuation of this dynamic of peace" and also for Lebanon's economic and social recovery.

However, two of the sources and an analyst cautioned that it was not yet certain any candidate would be elected. To win, a candidate must secure 86 votes in a first round, or 65 in a second round.

Rice is thrown on Newly-appointed General Joseph Aoun (C) as army commander, upon his arrival at his family's house in Sin El Fil, northeast of Beirut, Lebanon March 8, 2017. (Reuters)

‘National awakening’

Joseph Aoun would still need 86 votes because his election requires a constitutional amendment, as he is a still-serving state employee, Berri has said.

A State Department spokesperson said it was "up to Lebanon to choose its next president, not the United States or any external actor".

"We have been consistent in our efforts to press Lebanon to elect a new president, which we see as important to strengthening Lebanon’s political institutions," the spokesperson said.

Hezbollah official Wafiq Safa said last week there was "no veto" on Aoun. But the sources said Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the United States, will not support him.

Aoun has a key role in shoring up the ceasefire brokered by Washington and Paris in November. The terms require the Lebanese military to deploy into south Lebanon as Israeli troops and Hezbollah withdraw forces.

Still reeling from a financial collapse in 2019, Lebanon desperately needs foreign aid to rebuild. Much of the damage is in Shiite majority areas.

Hezbollah, its supply line to Iran severed by Assad's ousting, has urged Arab and international support for Lebanon.

Lebanon's Maronite Bishops called on lawmakers to elect a president, urging a "national awakening".