Iraq denies Maliki withdrew from Interior Ministry nomination

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A claim that Nouri al-Maliki had stepped back from the Interior Ministry portfolio in Iraq’s ongoing coalition talks was rejected on Tuesday by Hisham al-Rikabi, director of the State of Law Alliance leader’s media office. Rikabi said on social media that media reports on the matter did not reflect the truth and lacked verified information. A separate source told Iraqi outlets that Prime Minister and Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Ali al-Zeydi continues to run the Defense and Interior ministries on an interim basis and is satisfied with their current performance. The source added there was no political agreement on names for the two portfolios. Iraq’s parliament approved Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zeydi’s government and its cabinet program on May 14, 2026, confirming 14 of 23 ministers. Nine portfolios, including Interior, Defense, Higher Education and Planning, remain unassigned due to disputes over nominees and quota allocations.