Baghdad: Head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, stressed that protecting the political process from Baathist contamination is a national and constitutional duty, and not a matter subject to political favoritism.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Maliki stated in a press release on Friday that immediate legal action must be taken against any person in parliament or state institutions found to be affiliated with the Baath Party. He warned that any leniency could pave the way for the return of Baathist ideology to state institutions.

He further emphasized that the Accountability and Justice Commission is tasked with enforcing this ban, with its decisions being mandatory and not open to political or governmental influence.