Al-Maliki to get checkup

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki flew to London on Saturday for what he said was a routine medical checkup.

Two aides denied wire reports that al-Maliki, who has faced increasing criticism for presiding over a paralyzed government, was suffering from exhaustion.

They said the prime minister had wanted to get a checkup for some time and had decided to take advantage of a recent ebb in violence to make the trip. He is expected back in Iraq within days, said Yasin Majeed, the prime minister’s media adviser.

In footage broadcast on state-run Al Iraqiya television, al-Maliki appeared healthy as he walked from the airport terminal to his private plane.

“It has been a while, and I wanted to have some medical checks done to check my health, so that is why I am leaving Baghdad,” al-Maliki said before boarding the plane.