Islamic States Back Iraq PM Designate Abadi

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday welcomed the nomination of Haidar al-Abadi as new prime minister of Iraq, though incumbent Nuri al-Maliki is clinging on to power.

Abadi has won broad international backing, from the United States, Saudi Arabia and Iran amongst other countries.

In a message of congratulations addressed to Abadi and to Iraqi President Fuad Masum, OIC secretary general Iyad Madani said he hoped the "major" political development would enable Iraq to "deal with the challenges facing it."

He hoped Iraq would resume "its active role at the Arab, Islamic and international levels."

Madani hoped all regional and international powers would support "the unity of Iraq without distinction between the component parts" of the majority-Shiite country.

The international community has urged Abadi to quickly form a unity government ready to face up to the jihadists who have taken control of large swathes of Iraq.

Maliki said Wednesday it will take a court ruling for him to step down, defying President Masum's decision to task Abadi with forming a government.

Iraq is a member of the OIC, the world's largest Muslim representative body, with 57 member states.