Iraqi PM Maliki surrenders post to rival

Nouri Maliki has given up his post as Iraq’s prime minister to Haider Abadi, state television reported today – a move which could end a political deadlock that plunged Baghdad into uncertainty as the country fights a Sunni militant insurgency.

The Iraqiya television network said Mr Maliki has “relinquished the post of prime minister” but did not elaborate. Afak television, Mr Maliki’s private network, ran a bulletin saying “Maliki joins the greatest men of history by giving up posts”.