Nuri Al-Maliki excludes independence of Kurdistan

Iraqi Vice-Presidentو Nuri Al-Maliki, stressed that the independence of the Kurdistan region of Iraq cannot be achieved, considering that the aspirations of the Kurds in this issue is just "blackmail paper".

 "The interests of the Kurdish people are exposed to the risk, and I do not accept that the Kurds' interests to be a bargaining chip in the political exchanges or political wrangling market", Al-Maliki added.

President of the Kurdistan region, Massoud Barzani, stated that he will announce the independence immediately if Al-Maliki returned again to power, describing him that he had betrayed the Kurds. Many Kurds accused Al-Maliki of being the mastermind in the issue of cutting Kurdistan's share of the budget.

Al-Maliki said during a television interview, "I want the benefit of the Kurdish people and I cooperate with those who I think that they are the closest to the interests of the Kurds".

In spite of the differences with the Kurds, Al-Maliki still has good relations with other Kurdish parties in Sulaimaniyah, particularly the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Movement for Change, while other parties in Kurdistan and Iraq blamed Al-Maliki's policies, which says it has led to the emergence of ISIS organization.

Al-Maliki came to power for eight years, from 2006 to 2014, after the overthrow of former President Saddam Hussein by an international coalition led by Washington. His rule period had witnessed a state of instability and sectarian fighting.