Al-Maliki rejects calls to abandon bid for third term in Iraq
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BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki refused on Friday to give up his quest for a third term in power, defying a chorus of critics demanding his replacement as the country faces an existential threat from Islamist insurgents.
"I will never give up my candidacy for the post of prime minister," Maliki said in a statement read out on state television by an announcer.
"I will remain a soldier, defending the interests of Iraq and its people," he added, in the face of what he called terrorists and their allies.
