Maliki Interview: Weary of job, won't accept 2nd term

Nouri al-Maliki, Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, Moqtada al-Sadr,
Harith al-Dhari and Massoud Barzani

Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq’s Prime Minister, has admitted that he wishes his time in office was complete and that he has no desire to serve a second term heading the violence-plagued nation.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Maliki, who has been accused of failing to deal with the sectarian tensions which have wrecked bloodshed across Iraq, also revealed his reluctance in initially accepting the top job, saying he decided to take it only after days of persuasion from fellow-Shia colleagues. "That decision for me was heavier than a mountain," he said.

Asked whether he would accept a second term in office, Mr Maliki replied: "Impossible.

"I wish I could be done with it even before the end of this term. I would like to serve my people from outside the circle of senior officials, maybe through the parliament or through working directly with the people," he said.

"I didn’t want to take this position. I only agreed because I thought it would serve the national interest, and I will not accept it again."

Read the rest at the Times of London

Related Link:
Iraqis report coming U.S. push against Sadr's Mehdi Army

Related Link:
Re-opening of Iraqi National Assembly postponed by slaying of Sadr aide

Related Link:
Sources: Sistani, Maliki reject U.S. plan, say Sadr must be included in government

Related Link:
Sadr denies plans to rejoin government, may call for new elections

Related Link:
Sources: Sistani opposes U.S.-backed anti-Sadr coaltion

Related Link:
New Iraqi political alliance hits snag over Sadr

Related Link:
Iraqi government reshuffle leaves critics dissatisfied

Related Link:
White House: Maliki promises to target insurgents

Related Link:
Maliki reaches out to members of Saddam's army at reconciliation conference

Related Link:
Sources: Iraqi PM Weighs Political Realignment

Related Link:
Hashemi: US must reform Iraqi forces before leaving

Related Link:
Report: Maliki presented Bush with plan for Iraq takeover of Baghdad security

Related Link:
Analysis: Laying the Groundwork for a "Cabinet Reshuffle" in Iraq

Related Link:
Iraqi group seeks power shift

Related Link:
Iraq VP al-Hashemi criticizes Maliki government ahead of Bush meeting

Related Link:
Report: Maliki invited to join U.S.-backed anti-Sadr coalition

Related Link:
White House denies move to oust al-Maliki

Related Link:
Plans Under Way to Replace Iraq PM