WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- The White House on Thursday applauded Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's agreement to step down to make way for the formation of a new government, a goal sought by the United States since June as it has been helping Baghdad to combat the Islamic militants.
"Iraqis took another major step forward in uniting their country. We commend Prime Minister Maliki for his decision to support Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi in his efforts to form a new government in line with the Iraqi constitution," National Security Advisor Susan Rice said in a statement.
Maliki withdrew his nomination for a third term on Thursday, amid mounting pressure from the Obama administration, Iran and from within the Iraqi establishment. Washington blamed his policies for alienating Iraq's Sunnis and Kurds and giving rise to the radical militants.
"Today, we have heard from a wide range of leaders across the Iraqi political spectrum who have expressed their commitment to work with Dr. Abadi to form a broad, inclusive government with an agenda that can address the needs and legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi people," Rice said.
Citing support for Abadi from all over the world, Rice said " These are encouraging developments that we hope can set Iraq on a new path and unite its people against the threat presented by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)."
"The United States remains committed to a strong partnership with Iraq and the Iraqi people," she added.
The U.S. warplanes have carried out targeted air raids on ISIL militants since last Friday in an effort to stem their advance on Irbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, as well as to provide humanitarian aid to civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar near the Syrian border.
The Obama administration has indicated its readiness to offer military support to Iraq once Abadi becomes the prime minister.
