The remarks came on Friday during a commencement ceremony for an endowment center in Baghdad, where Maliki further added, “The government will not negotionte with terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), because these groups are not and will not be a negotiating side.”
The Iraqi prime minister also indicated that certain sides want the government to negotiate with armed groups and continue to “insist” on the need to begin such talks, “but should the government negotiate with terrorist gangs such as the ISIL?”
“Whichever side that is not opposed to terrorist groups, is not worthy of partnership in running the country’s affairs,” Maliki went on to stress.
The development comes as the Iraqi army has engaged in an extensive military operation in the al-Anbar province since December 21, 2013, to suppress the terrorists and al-Qaeda elements, in cooperation with ethnic and local police forces.
MB/MB