Al-Ibadi asked to lead Iraq

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."

After the nomination, Ibadi himself urged national unity against the "Islamic State" (IS) militant group, who he described as "barbaric."

"We all have to cooperate to stand against this terrorist campaign launched on Iraq and to stop all terrorist groups," he said.

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.

Rumblings of discontent

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.

Also on Monday, tanks and special forces loyal to Maliki mobilized around government buildings in Baghdad's "green zone" in an apparent show of strength.

Maliki himself called the president's decision a "dangerous violation" of the constitution. Flanked by political allies and speaking on television, he promised "we will fix the mistake."

Abadi's nomination was immediately welcomed by Washington, which has said it will work with the Iraqi government to defeat IS, but ruled out putting boots on the ground.

"The United States stands ready to fully support a new and inclusive Iraqi government," said Brett McGurk, US deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs.

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)