“There is no Kurdish state. But that shouldn’t prevent the Kurds from continuing to develop their own institutions. Still, the best thing for them would be to remain a part of Iraq, but in return we must treat them with respect – their nationality, their language and their culture.”

I call on the international community to be fair to the Iraqi people. My position is that we respect international resolutions but in return demand justice and accountability for those who stole Iraq’s money.

I strongly believe that a federal structure based on administrative and geographic lines with strong powers for the federated states will be the best solution for Iraq.

It’s customary when great events happen that the U.S. punishes its friends and rewards its enemies.

The issue of terrorism must be dealt with firmly. We must work very hard to avoid loss of life.

The Kurds’ achievement was outstanding, both militarily and diplomatically.

The fight against corruption is successful if you prevent corruption taking place in the first place.

Maliki saw Islamic State as a way to exert pressure. If I am not re-elected, terror will befall you – that was his message.

The Americans stabbed in the back the forces that worked to bring about the collapse of Saddam’s regime and wanted to keep Iraq a sovereign country.

The meeting is called by the U.S. to give their vision of the interim Iraqi authority. It will be a one-day meeting. And the U.S. will present its vision, and there will be a statement after the meeting.

Not because Iraq will be an aggressive state against them, but rather by the example that will be set by a successful federal democratic state in Iraq.

And we are grateful to the American young men and women who are risking their lives to give the Iraqi people this chance, this dream of democracy in Iraq now.

We want to be the masters of ourselves and to carry our responsibilities in this region.

The view that we hold in Iraq now is this – that democracy is associated with elections. I believe that elections are possible.

Iraq will not allow any action on its soil that could harm the U.S. We don’t want any action from our soil to target our neighbors.

Now, we need a joint military leadership so that the Kurds and the army can retake Mosul.

Already, Islamic State has broad support in many cities there. And when they get there, it will once again come as a great surprise to everybody.