Entrenched PM says everyone should accept a federal court ruling on an objection he filed against Abadi’s appointment.

Refusing to step down as prime minister, Iraq’s Nuri al-Maliki said on Wednesday the appointment of Haider al-Abadi to replace him as premier was a “violation” of the constitution and “had no value”.

In a televised speech, Maliki said everyone should accept a federal court ruling on an objection he filed against Abadi’s appointment.

“I confirm that the government will continue and there will not be a replacement for it without a decision from the federal court,” Maliki said.

On Tuesday night, a suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint near the Baghdad home of Abadi, two police sources and local media said.

“The suicide bomber blew himself up at a checkpoint that leads to the prime minister’s house,” said one of the police sources.

There was no word on casualties. Officials in Abadi’s office were not immediately available for comment.

 
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