From the FT:
Iraq’s prime minister announced late on Thursday he would step down after eight years in office and endorse the man chosen by his own political bloc to succeed him.
Nouri al-Maliki, the embattled Shia premier accused of exacerbating the country’s sectarian divisions and paving the way for the arrival of the jihadist insurgency of Isis, announced his departure amid tremendous international and domestic pressure.
The US, which has long pushed for Mr Maliki’s replacement, was thrilled by the announcement, and also a little surprised, with officials expecting the Iraqi leader to cling on for longer.
Mr Maliki’s departure is likely to be the trigger for Washington to ramp up its backing of the Iraqi military, in the hope that Baghdad can take the lead in battling resurgent Islamic militants in the north.
Stand by for digger boots on the ground. This will help settle markets as well.
