Head of the Sadrist movement in Iraq, influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, surprised observers when he displayed an openness to cooperating with the United States as he now tackles the formation of a new government.
Sadr had emerged as the victor in the recent parliamentary elections, giving him sway over the appointment of a new prime minister.
He announced a number of conditions that may persuade the new government to work with Washington – in a move that may be the final nail in the coffin of his losing Shiite opponents. The rivals were banking on Sadr announcing his rejection of working with the Americans.
In statement on Saturday, Sadr said the elections results demonstrated that the Sadr bloc won the most votes and enjoys the greatest popular support.
“We will seek national alliances - not sectarian or ethnic ones – that will be keen on protecting the nation’s security and sovereignty,” he added.
He called on all Iraqis to help in “reforming the nation and ridding it of corruption, occupation, normalization, terrorism and subordination.”
On the possibility of cooperating with the US, he said Washington should approach the Iraqi government “in kind, through serious and effective dialogue.” The dialogue would cover the remaining American troops in Iraq, as well as its meddling in its affairs.
“Popular revolts and protests are internal affairs that do not concern the US, so is keeping Iraq away from regional conflicts,” he continued.
He underlined the independence of Iraq’s decisions, away from “western and eastern” influence.
Sadr voiced a readiness to cooperate economically with the US, as well as in other fields, “should the abovementioned points be respected.”
“Otherwise, we will not succumb to pressure and subordination,” he stressed.
“Should the above fail to be implemented then it [the US] will be viewed as a hostile state to Iraq that does not seek its stability,” he remarked.
