Maliki given second term

President Jalal Talabani’s nomination of Maliki comes after a power-sharing deal between Iraq’s divided factions was sealed two weeks ago and gives Maliki 30 days to complete the difficult task of forming a cabinet.

The tussle has seen Iraq shatter the world record for the longest period without a new government after polls.

“I charge you... Nuri al-Maliki to form the new government, which we hope will be a real national partnership government which will not exclude any faction,” Talabani said.