Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki signals he will give up post peacefully

The embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's bid to retain power, despite the election of a replacement favorable to both Iraqi patrons Iran and the United States, seems to have come to an end.

The New York Times reports that the most obvious sign Maliki has given up his struggle to stay in power comes from the fact he issued a statement that said the military should stay out of Iraqi politics.

The statement read, "Prime Minister Maliki urges commanders, officers and individuals to stay away from the political crisis and to commit to their military and security duties and tasks to protect the country, and not to intervene in this crisis."

As Maliki's grasp on power appeared to be faltering, he deployed members of the special forces and other military units to defensive positions around Baghdad's "Green Zone." The Green Zone is a heavily fortified area that is home to the heart of the Iraqi government such as the prime minister's official residence, and the Iraqi parliament. It also home to a large number of foreign embassies and consulates, the United States' among them.

Furthering weakening Maliki's hand is that a crucial Iraqi general reached out to Maliki's prospective replacement, Haider al-Abadi, to tell him that the army would not support Maliki if he refused to relinquish power.

Adding to the pressure on Maliki to abdicate peacefully was Iran's very public congratulations to al-Abadi on his election to Prime Minister. Among the government bureaucracies that voiced support for al-Abadi were the Foreign Ministry, and the Supreme National Security Council, which makes Iran's military decisions.

The United States also applied pressure to Maliki and the Iraqi parliament. It has repeatedly said that the solution to the crisis presented by the Islamic State is political, and not military. The United States also promised the delivery of more aid and more military support once a new government without Maliki had been established.