Calls for the formation of transitional Iraq government

A conference on Iraq held in the United States sparked controversy and anger among political circles in Baghdad after calling for a “transitional government” led by a former army officer to be formed.

In response, political circles in Iraq called on Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi to intervene and issue a decision to arrest those present at the conference.

The conference, organised by the Iraqi-American Society for Peace and Friendship, discussed last Saturday in the State of Michigan the formation of a transitional government led by former Iraqi army officer, Abdul Wahid Shannan Al-Ribat.

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The conference was attended by Iraqi opponents and academics, as well as former Iraqi government officials and senior US officials.

A short statement issued by the conference said that James Fouts, mayor of Warren city, Michigan, also attended the conference.

Fouts is reported to have expressed his dismay at the events that occurred in Iraq after 2003, noting that Iraq was in a better situation before the US invasion. His words angered a number of attendees.