BAGHDAD Inside the walls of his shaded villa in the heart of Baghdads fortified Green Zone, Nouri al-Maliki still greets his visitors in the same marble-floored office where he worked for eight years as prime minister.
As one of the countrys three vice presidents, he now holds a largely ceremonial position in the government of his successor, Haidar al-Abadi.
But whether Maliki has given up his quest for power is increasingly in question as he sets about widely publicized battlefield tours, meetings with tribal elders and visits abroad.
[Maliki steps aside, easing Iraqs political crisis]
In an interview at his villa, he denied desire to reclaim his former position and pledged support for Abadi, who six months into the job is attempting to quell the chaos convulsing Iraq. Maliki has been widely blamed for much of it, with his failure to reach out to Sunnis and his policies, widely seen as sectarian.
But he does not rule out that he could one day return.
Based on my popular support base, which still exists and is strong, its possible, he said, indicating that he is setting his sights on Iraqs next election, due in 2018.
Legally and constitutionally, its possible, he said. But its the Iraqi peoples choice.
Malikis looming presence poses a challenge for Abadi as he attempts to win back ground from Islamic State extremists and repair rifts with Iraqs Sunnis and Kurds. It comes as an offensive to retake the city of Tikrit has highlighted the premiers lack of control over the Shiite volunteers and militias that are leading the fight.
Maliki still has a role, and hes not finished, said Mowaffak al-Rubaie, a lawmaker from the former prime ministers State of Law bloc.
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Iraqs former leader still looms large months after his ouster