MESOP INSIGHT : OBAMA WANTS MALIKI’S REPLACEMENT
20.6.2014 – Obama stressed the need for a political solution to the crisis in Iraq and said, “this is something that is going to have to be solved by the Iraqis.” In meetings with Iraqi officials, U.S. officials indicated that they would like to see a replacement for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and a few candidates for a successor have begun to emerge. Meanwhile, clashes have continued between pro-government forces and ISIL-allied militants at the country’s largest oil refinery, in Baiji, as well as in Tal Afar, where militants have said they have taken control of most of the airport. They have additionally seized a disused chemical weapons facility in Muthanna, about 45 miles northwest of Baghdad