Adib warned that “psychological division still exists in Iraq, and political division might follow if dialogue fails. The country is being torn apart and politicians have not yet found a way to adopt the mechanisms of partnership."
Adib, however, withheld details about the nature of Maliki’s health problem and as a result, speculation was rife.
Haidar al-Ibadi, a leading Shiite figure in the Dawa Party, revealed to Al-Monitor, however, that “Maliki has a cold; there is nothing to worry about.”
Such a statement did not stop the influx of rumors on social media websites, which went to greater lengths in speculating on the status of Maliki’s health.
Disparity has even hit official sources. A close source to Maliki was interviewed by Al-Monitor and reported as saying that “the prime minister is tired and needs to rest.” The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reiterated that there was “nothing to worry about.”
Last month, according to Sadik al-Rikabi, a close adviser to Maliki, the latter was transferred to the intensive care unit in the City of Medicine medical complex in Baghdad — one of the biggest hospitals in Iraq.
Reports spread that Maliki had suffered from a heart problem, the effects of which had been aggravated of late, because of the poor results in the most recent elections. Maliki lost 90 seats in provincial councils, compared with the results of the 2009 elections.
Yet, the news was trending on social media websites. On Facebook, for example, an unofficial page for Maliki managed by his supporters posted a comment that read: “Maliki gets sick but does not die, just like Iraq.”
On the websites of Iraqi journalists and activists, Maliki’s condition was a hot topic of conversation. Some claimed that he was suffering from a heart problem and that his condition was at stake, while others diagnosed him with hyperglycemia, affirming that his office expeditiously sent for a doctor from the UK.
I predict Maliki will resign soon, because the charade and scam has come to a head. Good luck getting out of the country with all those US dollars. Hopefully your own people won't figure out what you have been doing for the last 12 years. Good luck trying to spend all that money, and I don't mean the Iraqi Dinar. All those leaders over, are all the same. Must be part of the Arab mold, that they share nothing and take everything they can, without getting caught or at least try. He's playing it smart, not going anywhere and pretending to be ill, until he can leave. His own government people will all be exiting quietly soon. You wait. Sneeky bastards. Their all the same.