DHAKA: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has stepped aside, ending political deadlock in Baghdad as the government struggles against insurgents.

He resigned on state TV to make way for Haider al-Abadi, who was asked by Iraq's president to form a government.

Maliki had been under intense pressure to make way for Abadi, a deputy speaker of parliament.

An offensive led by Islamic State (IS) rebels in the north has triggered a security and humanitarian crisis.

IS, a Sunni Muslim jihadist group formerly known as Isis, seized a large band of territory across northern Iraq and Syria this summer.

The resulting turmoil has driven an estimated 1.2 million Iraqis from their homes.

Source: BBC

BDST: 0441 HRS, AUG 15, 2014