JOIN USThe decision by embattled Nouri al-Maliki to step down as Iraq’s prime minister revived hopes on Friday for the formation of a new government that could take on a growing insurgency by Sunni militants that has engulfed much of the country.
The move, which followed weeks of international and domestic pressure, defuses a political deadlock that has plunged Iraq into uncertainty at a time of the nation’s greatest turmoil since the 2011 withdrawal of the US troops.
Al-Maliki announced he was giving up his post on national television late on Thursday, standing alongside senior members of his Shiite Islamic Dawa Party, including his rival and premier-designate Haider al-Abadi.
He said he was stepping aside in favour of his “brother”, in order to “facilitate the political process and government formation”.
Al-Abadi, a veteran Shiite lawmaker, now faces the immense challenge of attempting to unite Iraqi politicians as he tries to cobble together a Cabinet over the next 30 days.