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Power Struggle In Iraq As President Picks New Prime Minister

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Iraq's new president has charged the deputy speaker of parliament Haider al-Ibadi with forming a new government in the next 30 days.

Fouad Massoum said on television Monday that he hoped al-Ibadi would succeed in forming a government that would "protect the Iraqi people."

The president's choice is a very public snubbing of incumbent Prime Minister Nouri el-Maliki who in an angry midnight speech all but demanded he be re-nominated for a third term.

Maliki has deployed his elite security forces in the streets of Baghdad, partially closed two main streets - popular spots for pro and anti-government rallies - as hundreds of his supporters took to the streets.

Here & Now's security expert Jim Walsh discusses the developments with host Jeremy Hobson.

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This segment aired on August 11, 2014.

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