Iraq lawmaker rejects Trump remarks on PM al-Zeydi as external pressure

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An Iraqi lawmaker from the Rights Movement criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's recent comments claiming he had selected and appointed Prime Minister Ali al-Zeydi, calling the remarks an attempt to impose external pressure on Iraq's decision-making. Muhammad al-Hasnavi, a member of parliament, said al-Zeydi's meeting with Trump revealed "serious facts" and amounted to an effort to dictate outcomes in Iraq. He said Iraq would not be subject to the tutelage of any side and could not be turned into a stage for foreign interference. Al-Hasnavi urged the Shia Coordination Framework, the political bloc that includes al-Zeydi's party, to take a clear stance against the U.S. comments, warning that its silence would raise political questions and prompt Iraqi forces to reassess their positions. The Rights Movement said it would begin contacts with Framework components in the coming days to build a unified position.