Iraqi Shi'ite leaders pick Bassem al-Badry as Prime Minister nominee: Report

BAGHDAD, - The leaders of ​Iraq's main Shi'ite ​Muslim political blocs picked government official ​Bassem al-Badry as their nominee for the post of prime minister in a meeting ‌on Monday, ⁠two ⁠Iraqi Shi'ite officials said, though no ​official announcement was made.

Two other Iraqis familiar with ​Monday's meeting of 12 key Shi'ite leaders who make up the Coordination ​Framework disputed that Badry ⁠had been ‌picked during the meeting, ​saying ​talks were ongoing.

Another meeting was ⁠scheduled for Wednesday, Iraqi state media reported.


Whoever is picked next would ​replace the CF's previous choice, veteran politician and two-time Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was tapped for the job in January but ‌whose candidacy was directly opposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump ​threatened to ​withdraw ⁠support for Iraq if Maliki, who served two consecutive terms from 2006 to 2014, ​became prime minister again.

Badry is currently the head of Iraq's Commission for Accountability and Justice.