BAGHDAD (REUTERS) - The Dawa Party of Iraq's Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday called on Iraqi politicians to work with his replacement as prime minister, Mr Haider al-Abadi, to form a new government.

In a statement, the Dawa Party said it "called on political blocs to cooperate with the constitutionally designated prime minister, Mr Abadi, and accelerate the formation of a government in the defined time period."

Mr Maliki has refused to stand aside.

(More to follow)