Incumbent prime minister claims to have secured a majority to form government Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki casting his vote at a polling station in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone on April 30, 2014. (AFP Photo/Ali Al-Saadi) Baghdad, Asharq Al-Awsat —Rival Shi’ite political blocs have reiterated their strong opposition to Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s bid for a third term in office, amid claims by each side that they secured the majority required to form a government. The National Alliance—comprised of the leading Shi’ite forces, the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), the Sadrist Movement, the National Congress and the Reform Trend—has urged the State of Law coalition to withdraw the nomination of its leader, Nuri Al-Maliki, to head the new government, according to a statement read out by the coalition’s spokesman, Ibrahim Bahr Al-Ulloum, following a meeting by coalition leaders in Baghdad two days ago. Maliki’s coalition came first […]