ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – State of Law Coalition leader and prime ministerial candidate Nouri al-Maliki said on Saturday that choosing Iraq’s leaders and government is “a national matter” that must be respected, coming after US President Donald Trump vehemently rejected his candidacy.

Maliki on Saturday described November’s parliamentary election as “successful,” saying Baghdad had embraced “the meanings of democracy, freedom, and political partnership,” read a statement from his office. 

He added that “we will not relinquish this achievement, nor will we compromise the Iraqi people's right to choose whomever they trust and deem competent to lead the country.”

“The selection of our government and leaders is a national matter that must be respected, just as we respect the choices of others,” the statement added. 

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump stressed that Washington will no longer help Baghdad if former premier and head of the State of Law Coalition Maliki becomes the next prime minister, criticizing his "insane policies and ideologies."

The US president's comments were roundly met with criticism from Maliki and his allied factions, with a demonstration taking place in Baghdad on Wednesday night protesting against the perceived violation of Iraqi sovereignty inherent in the remarks.

In a statement on Wednesday, Maliki responded to Trump's remarks, saying, "‎We categorically reject the blatant American interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, and we consider it a violation of its sovereignty, contrary to the democratic system in Iraq after 2003, and an infringement on the decision of the Coordination Framework for selecting its candidate for the position of Prime Minister."

Maliki previously served two terms as prime minister from 2006 to 2014, stepping down during his second term after major security setbacks linked to the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS), amid long-standing allegations of corruption.

His tenure also saw him draw the ire of Washington over his perceived closeness to Iran and allowing Tehran to increase its influence in the country.

Incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Alliance emerged as the main party in the country in the November elections after securing 46 seats, while Maliki’s State of Law Coalition won 29 seats in the recent elections, placing third.

Earlier in January, reports emerged that Sudani had stepped down and thrown his weight behind Maliki, supporting him to reassume the position.

However, Trump's comments have provided an opening for the premier to maintain power, with an advisor to Sudani saying on Wednesday that "after Donald Trump's message, Maliki's opportunity to become Prime Minister has burned out, and Sudani's chances for a second term have become much stronger."

Sudani's alliance later in the day issued a statement stressing "the necessity of establishing positive and balanced relations with friendly and allied countries, especially the United States of America, based on mutual respect for national sovereignty, constitutional processes, and the outcomes of the democratic process."