Iraqi Prime Minster designate Haidar al-Abadi has taken to social media to issue a call for unity as Baghdad is threatened by Islamic State fighters. <br /><br />It comes after Nouri al-Maliki bowed to pressure and agreed to stand down as prime minister to “safeguard the high interests country,” paving the way for a new coalition.<br /><br />US President Barack Obama hailed the decision as a unifying move in a land being torn apart by an Islamic insurgency and vicious political infighting.<br /><br />UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon also applauded Maliki’s move.<br /><br />Speaking at Friday prayers Shi’ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called on the new government to stamp out corruption in Iraq.<br /><br />A sentiment echoed on the streets: “The new prime minister has two main tasks to achieve. The first is fight terrorism and the second is to fight the financial corruption which has prevailed in government institutions.” <br /><br />Latest reports suggest Islamic State fighters are massing around Qara Tappa, 122 km from the capital.<br /><br />The militants have threatened to march on Baghdad.
