Ayad Allawi: Obama Was Wrong - Iraq Is 'Neither Stable Nor Democratic'

Iraq’s former interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Sunday that President Obama was wrong when he claimed the United States left Iraq as a stable and democratic country.

Appearing on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS, Allawi said, "It’s neither stable nor democratic, frankly speaking. The terrorists are hitting again very severely. Al Qaeda is fully operational now in Iraq" (video follows with transcribed highlights and commentary):

When Zakaria asked if Iran is playing an increasing role in the politics of Iraq, Allawi said, “Definitely, we can see this very clearly. We have seen it after the elections immediately when Iran used its influence and dictated what kind of government there should be in Iraq. They put a red-line against me and against the Iraqi here, and unfortunately the United States went along with what Iran desired.”

Allawi continued, “There are lots of problems now. The whole situation is very tense. Sectarianism is coming back in force in this country. I think Iraq is passing through the most dangerous phase through its history now.”

“President Obama said very clearly that the United States have left Iraq as a stable and democratic country,” said Allawi. “It’s neither stable nor democratic, frankly speaking. The terrorists are hitting again very severely. Al Qaeda is fully operational now in Iraq. We can see with the various explosions that are claiming the lives of innocent people every day, and we are seeing the un-constitutional behavior of the government.”

Zakaria asked if Allawi wants the United States back in Iraq.

Allawi replied, “The United States, frankly, still have a lot of leverage on Iraq. It still have a lot of good will. The United States still have political as well as moral responsibility to help this country to pass through this very difficult phase. As part of the world leadership, the United States must do something to help Iraq.”

"I am not asking for the American forces to come back," he elaborated, "but for the United States to use its diplomatic and other channels through the strategy agreement between the United States and Iraq to try and bring about sanity to the political process and inclusivity. And I think there should be frank and real discussions with the Prime Minister, between him and between the Administration, to make it very clear that what is happening in Iraq is not acceptable.”