Iraq is a stable Middle Eastern democracy, facing sectarian conflict head on and building a new political culture based on rule of law and international cooperation – at least that’s the picture Iraqi Prime Minster Nuri Al-Maliki presented in a speech at the United States Institute for Peace earlier today.

Taking a break from meetings with President Obama and other high level U.S. officials, Maliki said “national reconciliation would not have been possible without good cooperation between United States and Iraqi forces.”

He went on to say:

“This is an attempt for the Sunnis and Shia to live in harmony. The national reconciliation really laid the foundation of harmony for the Iraqi people.”

Those foundations will be tested in the January 2010 Iraqi presidential elections. A United States Institute for Peace report found that only 50% of the Iraqi population turned out for the February 2009 provincial elections – a reality that has Iraqi political parties becoming increasingly aware of the need for stronger organization and coalition-building to make the most of every vote.

The report also found that “Maliki has emerged as the dominant force in Iraqi politics. The prime minister has become the ‘point of reference:’ all Iraqi political factions and leaders can be understood by their stance toward him.”

Maliki said “elections will be based on a national platform with nationalist tendencies – not on racist or sectarian grounds.”

Maliki went on to criticize “political corruption and regional and international interference in Iraqi affairs” including “others who implement agendas.”  Although he declined to elaborate on who might be interfering in Iraqi affairs, Maliki noted “all countries have various components, ethnicities and religious sects. We feel these components have not yet reached the level that we have with the constitution and democracy in Iraq.”

Some critics claim that Maliki – who initially was an unknown candidate from a fragmented political party – has grown too strong. Responding to reports of abuse and a failure of rule of law within Iraqi prisons, Maliki said:

“There will be a prison within any city where there will be violations of the law or against the people. What would be a source of concern is if one sectarian or ethnic group was being targeted….we have sympathy with the families of victims and not those who are committing crimes.”

Maliki said he was surprised at U.S. media reports questioning whether U.S. troops are allowed to defend themselves in Iraq and added “there is cooperation at all levels.  If any problem arises, it does not mean there is something wrong with the [Status of Forces] agreement.”

“Today the security relationship between the U.S. and Iraq is a relationship based on cooperation and all of the requirements in the [Status of Forces] agreement. If Iraqi forces need further training and further support we will look at those needs at that time.”