Iraqs president named a new prime minister to end Nuri al-Malikis - TopicsExpress

Iraqs president named a new prime minister to end Nuri al-Malikis eight year rule on Monday, but the veteran leader refused to go after deploying militias and special forces on the streets, creating a dangerous political showdown in Baghdad. Washington, which helped install Maliki following its 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, congratulated Haidar al-Abadi, a former Maliki lieutenant who was named by President Fouad Masoum to replace him. But Malikis Dawa Party declared his replacement illegal, and Malikis son-in-law said he would overturn it in court. Washington delivered a stern warning to Maliki not to stir the waters by using force to cling to power. A Shiite Muslim Islamist, Maliki is blamed by his erstwhile allies in Washington and Tehran for driving the alienated Sunni minority into a revolt that threatens to destroy the country. Leaders of Iraqs Sunni and Kurdish communities have demanded he go, and many fellow Shiites have turned against him.