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Iraq crisis: Maliki to step aside to end deadlock Iraq crisis: Maliki quits as PM to end deadlock
(35 minutes later)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has agreed to step aside, ending political deadlock in Baghdad as the government struggles against insurgents. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has stepped aside, ending political deadlock in Baghdad as the government struggles against insurgents.
His replacement, Haider al-Abadi, has already been asked by Iraq's president to form a new government. He resigned on state TV to make way for Haider al-Abadi, who was asked by Iraq's president to form a government.
Mr Maliki was under intense pressure to make way for Mr Abadi, a deputy speaker of parliament. Mr Maliki had been under intense pressure to make way for Mr Abadi, a deputy speaker of parliament.
An offensive led by Islamic State (IS) rebels in the north has triggered a security and humanitarian crisis.An offensive led by Islamic State (IS) rebels in the north has triggered a security and humanitarian crisis.
Mr Maliki's spokesman, Ali Mussawi, told AFP news agency that the outgoing Shia Muslim prime minister would drop his bid to remain in his post. IS, a Sunni Muslim jihadist group formerly known as Isis, seized a large band of territory across northern Iraq and Syria this summer.
"Maliki will withdraw the complaint against the president and will back the prime minister designate," he said. The resulting turmoil has driven an estimated 1.2 million Iraqis from their homes.
The move, also confirmed by Shia Muslim members of parliament to AP news agency, was announced by state TV. 'Brother Abadi'
Appearing on state TV flanked by Mr Abadi and other politicians from the Shia Muslim majority, Mr Maliki spoke of the grave "terrorist" threat from IS before announcing his own exit.
"I announce before you today, to ease the movement of the political process and the formation of the new government, the withdrawal of my candidacy in favour of brother Doctor Haider al-Abadi," he said.
He had been insisting that he should have the right to form the government, as leader of the biggest bloc in parliament.
But his spokesman, Ali Mussawi, told AFP news agency that Mr Maliki was dropping his complaint against President Fuad Masum.
The resignation brought an end to eight years of often divisive rule, when Mr Maliki's government was accused of favouring the country's Shia majority.
Mr Abadi is one of Iraq's most senior politicians, having held several high-profile posts since returning from exile in 2003.
He is regarded by some as a moderate within the Dawa party, and has shown more of a willingness to compromise than his predecessor.
Read more about Haider al-Abadi
US support
Earlier, US President Barack Obama offered his support to the prime minister-designate.
"He [Mr Abadi] still has a challenging task in putting a government together, but we are modestly hopeful that the... situation is moving in the right direction," Mr Obama said.
Mr Obama also paid tribute to US forces for an operation in the north of Iraq that he said has helped tens of thousands of people displaced by IS.
Tens of thousands of people, mostly from the Christian and Yazidi religious minorities, were besieged on Mount Sinjar after being forced to flee their homes, the UN said.
Mr Obama said US forces had helped break the siege and the situation had greatly improved.
Many of those displaced have now left the mountain and further rescue operations are not envisaged, he added.
However, air strikes will continue against IS, the American leader added.
Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting IS will also continue to receive US military assistance, he said.