Iraqi Shi’ite leaders pick Bassem al-Badry as PM nominee, sources say


BAGHDAD, April 20 (Reuters) - ⁠The leaders of Iraq's main Shi'ite ⁠Muslim political blocs pickedgovernment official Bassem ‌al-Badry as their nominee for the post of prime minister in a meeting on Monday, two ​Iraqi Shi'ite officials said, though ⁠no official announcement ⁠was made.

Two other Iraqis familiar with Monday's meeting ⁠of ‌12 key Shi'ite leaders who make up the Coordination Framework ⁠disputed that Badry had been picked during ​the meeting, ‌saying talks were ongoing.

Another meeting was ⁠scheduled for ​Wednesday, Iraqi state media reported.

Whoever is picked next would replace the CF's previous choice, ⁠veteran politician and two-time Prime ​Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who was tapped for the job in January but whose candidacy ⁠was directly opposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump threatened to withdraw support for Iraq if Maliki, who served two consecutive ​terms from 2006 to 2014, ⁠became prime minister again.

Badry is currently the ​head of Iraq's Commission ‌for Accountability and Justice.

(Reporting ​by Muayad Hameed; Writing by Muhammad Al Gebaly; editing by David Gaffen)

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