UNITED NATIONS, August 12 (RIA Novosti) – The UN Special Representative in Iraq, Nickolay Mladenov, has welcomed the decision of the new President of Iraq, Fuad Masum, to accept the nomination of the largest bloc in Parliament, Haider Abbadi, as prime minister designate, to undertake formation of a new government.
Mladenov said “the President of the Republic has fulfilled his role in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and asked the nominee of the largest block to form the government.”
While now care-taker Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is contesting the process, Mladenov urged “all political leaders to work within the framework of the Constitution and show moderation in their statements and actions. The Iraqi Security Forces should refrain from action that may be seen as interference in matters, related to the democratic transfer of political authority.”
Maliki on Monday accused the president of violating the country’s constitution by failing to name a prime minister within 15 days. This came after Fuad Masum asked Abadi, the deputy speaker of the parliament, to set up a new government, despite the opposition from Maliki.
