BAGHDAD
Former Iraqi Prime Minister and leader of the al-Iraqiya Coalition, Iyad Allawi, on Wednesday said that the "current administration in Iraq led the country to a deadlock".
In an exclusive interview with the Anadolu Agency (AA), Allawi said that the United States two years ago proposed his name for Iraqi Presidency but, after receiving the views of Kurds, decided on the formation of a national partnership.
"My candidacy for Iraqi Presidency was the proposal of US President Barack Obama. The al-Iraqiya Coalition accepted such a proposal. However, in order not to ignore other political sides, a national partnership was established in Iraq," Allawi noted.
"An agreement was signed in Iraq for the national partnership. There is a partnership between Prime Minister Maliki and I. The partnership principle has caused more tension in Iraq in recent years. Iraq is currently in a deadlock. The problem stems from the sides's not meeting on a common ground in the elections of two years ago. The present administration in Iraq put the country in a deadlock," Allawi stated.
Jalal Talabani was elected Iraqi President two years ago based on an agreement between Allawi and Maliki.
Iraqis are debating allegations that the United States wishes to see Allawi as the Iraqi President.
Incidents in Syria
"Politics in Iraq have to deal with various problems. There are deep rooted problems in politics and economy of Iraq. Moreover, there are incidents of violence in the region. Such violent acts may spread from one country to another. For example, what is taking place will have implications on countries in the region," Allawi noted.
Touching on Turkish-Iraqi relations, Allawi said that the two countries had to establish strong economic relations as two important countries of the region.
"Iraq has oil and natural gas. Iraq could provide support to Turkey. Iraq is like a natural corridor. Iraq may benefit from Turkey's relations in the geography. Turkey could benefit from Iraq in opening up to the Gulf countries," Allawi stated.
"I do not have detailed information about arms shipments from Iraq to Syria. Iraq is a crucial country in the region. Iraq must have an open policy on the incidents in Syria. Iraq must assume responsibility for the security of regional peoples," Allawi also said.
