Iraq's president says opponents of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki have failed to muster enough support to bring him down in a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
The prime minister's opponents said last week that they'd sent a letter to President Jalal Talabani with pledges from 176 lawmakers -- or a dozen more than the 164 needed -- that they would vote against Maliki.
However, Talabani said in a statement on June 10 that the letter only has 160 valid signatures.
He said 13 lawmakers informed him later they were withdrawing or suspending their signatures.
Maliki, a Shi'a, is being accused of monopolizing power by his opponents.
The prime minister's opponents said last week that they'd sent a letter to President Jalal Talabani with pledges from 176 lawmakers -- or a dozen more than the 164 needed -- that they would vote against Maliki.
However, Talabani said in a statement on June 10 that the letter only has 160 valid signatures.
He said 13 lawmakers informed him later they were withdrawing or suspending their signatures.
Maliki, a Shi'a, is being accused of monopolizing power by his opponents.
