Iraq must drop sectarian quota system to help form new gov't: Pompeo

Iraqi leaders must put aside a sectarian quota system and make compromises to help the formation of a government and help the bilateral relationship between Washington and Baghdad, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Iraq’s president named intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi as prime minister-designate, the third person tapped to lead Iraq in just 10 weeks as it struggles to replace a government that fell last year after months of deadly protests.

Earlier this month, Iraq’s president named intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi as prime minister-designate, the third person tapped to lead the country in just 10 weeks at the time as it struggles to replace a government that fell last year after months of deadly protests.

Iraq's President Barham Salih instructs newly appointed Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Baghdad. (File photo: Reuters)

Iranian-backed militia pose a “significant” threat to US forces in Iraq, the State Department’s top diplomat for the Middle East said, about a week after US President Donald Trump warned of an attack by Iran or its proxies.

Iran-backed paramilitary groups have regularly been shelling bases in Iraq that host US forces, and the area around the US embassy in Baghdad.

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