Iraq's embattled Nouri al-Maliki has stepped down as prime minister,
caving in to international and domestic pressure to give up his post
to a rival politician.
The move defuses a political deadlock that has plunged Iraq into
uncertainty and opens way for the formation of a new government that
could take on a growing insurgency by Sunni militants that has
engulfed much of the country.
Al-Maliki made the announcement on national television late Thursday,
standing alongside senior members of his Islamic Dawa Party, including
rival Haider al-Abadi. He said he was stepping aside in favor of his
"brother," in order to "facilitate the political process and
government formation."
The premier-designate al-Abadi, a veteran Shiite lawmaker, now faces
the immense challenge of trying to unite Iraqi politicians. The
country's major political factions deeply distrust each other and the
army seems unable to regain territory in the north and west taken by
militants from the Islamic State group.
Al-Maliki had been struggling for weeks to stay on for a third
four-year term as prime minister amid an attempt by opponents to push
him out, accusing him of monopolizing power and pursuing a fiercely
pro-Shiite agenda that has alienated the Sunni minority.
The United States, the U.N. and a broad array of political factions in
Iraq had backed al-Abadi, saying only a new leader could unify a
country under siege from the Islamic State extremists who have
captured large swaths of Iraqi territory.
Al-Maliki said his decision reflected a desire to "safeguard the high
interests of the country," adding that he would not be the cause of
any bloodshed.
His refusal to give up the post after eight years in power had
provoked a political crisis that escalated this week in Baghdad. The
pressure intensified when his Shiite political alliance backed
al-Abadi to replace him, and President Fouad Massoum nominated
al-Abadi on Monday to form the next government. Al-Maliki threatened
legal action against the president for what he said was a violation of
the constitution.
But in a meeting of his party earlier Thursday, al-Maliki agreed to
endorse al-Abadi, two senior lawmakers from his State of Law
parliamentary bloc -- Hussein al-Maliki and Khalaf Abdul-Samad -- told
The Associated Press. The two said al-Maliki also agreed to drop a
suit before the constitutional court challenging al-Abadi's
nomination.
The White House commended al-Maliki's move and expressed hope that the
power shift "can set Iraq on a new path and unite its people" against
the threat from Islamic militants, national security adviser Susan
Rice said in a statement.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said the move "sets the stage for a
historic and peaceful transition of power in Iraq."
Al-Maliki had grown increasingly isolated as he was deserted not only
by his Shiite allies but also top ally Iran, the United States and the
U.N. backed al-Abadi, who has 30 days to put together a Cabinet for
parliament's approval.
The U.N. Security Council urged al-Abadi to work swiftly to form "an
inclusive government that represents all segments of the Iraqi
population and that contributes to finding a viable and sustainable
solution to the country's current challenges."
Iraqis of all sects welcomed Thursday's announcement.
"Now, all we want is a government that respects the people and does
not discriminate against them," said Youssef Ibrahim, 40, a Sunni
government employee in Baghdad.
Adnan Hussein, 45, a Shiite in Sadr City, said he believes al-Maliki
is to blame for much of Iraq's troubles. "The years he ruled were the
worst in Iraq's history and he bears that responsibility," Hussein
said.
The U.S. and other countries have been pushing for a more
representative government that will ease anger among Sunnis, who felt
marginalized by al-Maliki's administration, which helped fuel the
dramatic sweep by the Islamic State extremist group.
The militants' lightning advance across much of northern and western
Iraq since June has driven hundreds of thousands of people from their
homes, and last week prompted the U.S. to launch aid operations and
airstrikes as the militants threatened religious minorities and the
largely autonomous Kurdish region.
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