The Shiite National Alliance candidate Haider al-Ibadi has been nominated as Iraq’s new premier. Iraqi President Fouad Massoum named him to form a new government, 
despite a ruling in favor of incumbent Nouri al-Maliki.
On Monday, Iraq’s president asked Ibadi to form a new government, despite opposition from Maliki, who has said he wants a third term as prime minister.
“The country is now in your hands,” Massoum told deputy parliamentary speaker Ibadi, in a televised ceremony. “I hope you will be successful in forming a broader-based government.”
Massoum’s request came despite a legal ruling by Iraq’s highest court earlier on Monday declaring that Maliki’s Shiite-led State of Law political bloc was the largest grouping in parliament.
The National Alliance, which is also dominated by Shiites and which also claims to be the largest bloc, nominated Ibadi by 127 votes out of 173.
Supporters of Maliki – who subsequently urged the president to hand the premiership back the to incumbent or risk violating the constitution – were broadly expected to oppose Ibadi’s nomination.
Maliki’s critics claim he has alienated the country’s minority Sunni population, prompting them to support the “Islamic State” militant group, which has seized a large chunk of Northern Iraq and which is threatening to march on Baghdad.
rc/mkg (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)