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Shafaq News-
\nNajaf<\/p>\n
US
\nconditions on Iraq\u2019s next government regarding Iran-aligned armed factions are
\na \u201cblatant interference\u201d in the country\u2019s internal affairs, senior leader in
\nthe Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, Sadr Al-Din Al-Qubbanji, said on Friday, urging
\nIraqi political leaders to preserve the independence of national
\ndecision-making.<\/p>\n
Al-Qubbanji,
\nwho is also Najaf\u2019s imam, noted during a religious sermon that Washington had
\ndemanded the exclusion of ministers linked to the \u201cresistance\u201d factions from
\nthe incoming cabinet. He called on the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) and
\nPrime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaidi, recently nominated by the largest
\nalliance in Parliament to form the next government, to take what he described
\nas a \u201cfirm and manly stance.\u201d <\/p>\n
The United
\nStates has repeatedly called for dismantling Iran-aligned Iraqi armed factions
\nit classifies as terrorist organizations, warning that expanded \u201cmilitia
\ninfluence\u201d in government would raise serious concerns in Washington.<\/p>\n
In April, Read more: Iraq after the regional ceasefire: US bases and unresolved political questions<\/a><\/p>\n Al-Qubbanji further criticized plans by between 120 and 160 lawmakers \u201cThis is a On Thursday,
\nthe US State Department warned that supporters of such groups \u201cwould face
\nconsequences,\u201d linking the issue to the future of US-Iraq relations. Washington
\nalso announced $10 million rewards<\/a> for information on senior commanders from Kataib
\nHezbollah and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, both of which maintain political wings
\nwithin the CF.<\/p>\n
\nin Iraq\u2019s 329-seat Parliament to travel for the Hajj pilgrimage, the annual
\nIslamic pilgrimage to Mecca, which begins in late May and typically requires an
\nabsence of more than a week, arguing that the move could delay cabinet
\nformation and parliamentary work at a critical stage.<\/p>\n
\nstrange phenomenon rejected by Iraqi public opinion,\u201d he remarked, referring to
\nParliament\u2019s responsibility to review the government program and settle pending
\nlegislative files.<\/p>\n
\nAl-Zaidi submitted his 14-point ministerial program<\/a> to Parliament Speaker Haibet
\nAl-Halbousi ahead of a session expected early next week to vote on the new
\ncabinet. However, a lawmaker told Shafaq News that the departure of a large
\nnumber of MPs for Hajj could complicate holding a full cabinet vote before the
\npilgrimage season.<\/p>\n