The results of a national dialogue meeting in Iraq have been rejected by the Sadrist movement on Thursday.
Participation in the talks that were called by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi was refused by the movement led by Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr.
In order to find a solution to the ongoing political crisis which has hindered the formation of a new government, the UN’s envoy to Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert, also attended Wednesday’s session.
Most of the attendees were accused of seeking to remain in power by Salih Muhammad al-Iraqi, a leading member of the movement.
In a statement, he said, “This secret meeting of yours does not concern us with anything,” and “the people do not want people to do anything but to step aside.”
The movement was urged by the meeting to engage in talks to set mechanisms for a comprehensive solution.
Proceeding with talks to lay down a legal and constitutional road map to address the crisis, and stop all forms of field, media or political escalation was also encouraged.
Following the nomination of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as the new prime minister by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of groups close to Iran, tension flared in Iraq in recent days.
Mass protests from supporters of al-Sadr were triggered by the said move, leading to calls for the dissolution of parliament and early elections.
After failing to form a “national majority” government, as the Coordination Framework hampered the Cabinet formation, 73 lawmakers of al-Sadr’s movement resigned from the 329-seat parliament last June.
Following general elections last October, which has since failed to agree on a new government between rival parties, Iraq has been in a political deadlock for nine months.
