Iraqi Mufti Urges New PM to Expel US Forces
In a message on Friday, Sheikh al-Sumaidaie congratulated al-Kahdimi on assuming the office of Prime Minister.
He also urged the new premier to strive to resolve issues and problems such as those related to unemployment, refugees, prisoners and university graduates.
The senior cleric further called for efforts to expel the US forces from the country.
In a vote on January 5, the Iraqi parliament called for an end to the presence of all foreign troops, including Americans.
The vote came two days after the US military - acting on US President Donald Trump’s order - launched a fatal drone strike on senior Iranian anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani upon his arrival in the Iraqi capital at the invitation of the Baghdad government.
The attack also claimed the lives of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of the PMU, and eight other Iranian and Iraqi people.
Washington has threatened sanctions should US troops be expelled instead of heeding the Iraqi parliament’s call to end the occupation of the country.
