Despite attempts by opponents to oust him, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki retained power after rivals lacked the votes to oust him.

Despite attempts by opponents to oust him, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki retained power after rivals lacked the votes to oust him.

In the latest setback for those trying to unseat al-Maliki, the country’s president said Sunday he would not ratify a petition for a no-confidence vote because it lacked the needed number of signatures.
“Due to a lack of (support), the letter of his excellency the president of the republic, although its text was prepared, was not given to the parliament,” the statement said.

It said more than 160 lawmakers had originally supported the motion to unseat Maliki and, by extension, his government.
The statement added, however: “Later, 11 of the signed lawmakers informed the office of the presidency of the withdrawal of their signatures, while two others requested to suspend their signatures.”

A no-confidence motion can be put before parliament either by the president or by one-fifth of the 325 members of parliament.

For his part, Maliki called for a national dialogue and to be open for discussion.
“I take this opportunity to renew a call for all political partners to sit at the table for negotiations and to be open to discuss all disagreements,” the prime minister said in a statement.

“I am sure we will be able to overcome all challenges and difficulties that are in our way,” he added, while also thanking Talabani for his “constructive” role.