Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, announced on Thursday his decision to step down as prime minister and endorse Haider al-Abadi as his successor.
In a televised address, he said his decision was aimed at preserving the country's "unity". Earlier this week, Iraq’s President Fouad Massoum tasked Abadi with forming a new government, a move Maliki said was a violation of the constitution.