BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Saturday that Egyptians have the right to democracy, and also pledged not to seek a third term in power himself.
Maliki also backed constitutional term limits on his office in an interview with AFP, with his remarks coming amid nearly two weeks of protests in Egypt demanding an end to President Hosni Mubarak's three decades of rule.
"The constitution does not prevent a third, fourth or fifth term, but I have personally decided not to seek another term after this one, a decision I made at the beginning of my first term," said Maliki, who began his second term by forming a government in December.
The premier added that he wanted to constitutionally limit his successors to two terms, which he said was sufficient to enact change. At present, Iraq does not limit terms for prime ministers or members of parliament, but its president is limited to two four-year terms.
"I support the insertion of a paragraph in the constitution that the prime minister gets only two turns, only eight years, and I think that's enough," Maliki said.
He took credit for a dramatic decline in violence across Iraq since its peak in 2006 and 2007, and said his second term would focus on ramping up scant electricity provision and improving the war-wracked economy, which remains heavily dependent on oil exports.
Maliki first took office in May 2006, and while attacks have dropped nationwide since, critics have attributed the decline to a surge of US troops and the co-opting of Sunni Arab tribal militias.
Asked what he would do after completing his second term, Maliki replied: "I will stay in politics, because this country needs to be rebuilt."
He also pledged to halve his $360,000 annual salary beginning this month, saying "high salaries (for top officials) may create unrest in society and lead to the creation of two classes, the rich and the disadvantaged."
Shortly afterwards, parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi issued a statement backing Maliki's efforts, and said he also wanted to slash the salaries of the president, the cabinet and all MPs.
Maliki's statement came as clerics across the country warned during Friday sermons that Iraqi leaders had to do more to fight corruption and promote social justice to avert Tunisia- or Egypt-style uprisings.
Commenting on the protests in Egypt, which have raged for nearly two weeks calling for Mubarak's departure after the ouster of Tunisian strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last month, Maliki said Egyptians had a right to democracy.
"I wish the Egyptian people to achieve democracy and partnership," he said.
"The people have the right to express what they want without being persecuted or prevented from their right to express themselves."
Maliki's comments came as international calls for Mubarak's resignation grew louder. US President Barack Obama hinted that Mubarak should step down, saying the "patriot" should "listen to what is being voiced by the Egyptian people."
Maliki said that for a leader to rule for three decades -- as Mubarak has done without challenge until now -- was not democracy.
"One of the characteristics of a lack of democracy could be when a leader rules for 30 or 40 years," Maliki said. "It is a difficult issue for people, may be intolerable, and change is necessary," he added.
Maliki advised Egyptians to eschew violence, and said that the country's leaders should not consider giving up power as a defeat.
"Our advice to the people is practise your right without sabotage and violence and destruction to your country because it is your country.
"Our advice to officials is, don't consider it a defeat when you give an opportunity to others and give your positions -- your country needs this development," he added.
According to UN estimates, more than 300 people have been killed since the protests in Egypt began, including eight on Thursday in clashes between pro- and anti-Mubarak supporters.
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