Abadi 'more pragmatic than Maliki', says Zuhair al-Naher

Iraq's president has asked the deputy speaker of parliament, Haider al-Abadi, to form a new government.

Mr Abadi had previously been nominated prime minister by Shia parties, instead of the incumbent Nouri Maliki.

Zuhair al-Naher, from the Dawa party, to which both Mr Abadi and Mr Maliki belong, told the BBC that Mr Abadi was "much more pragmatic" than Mr Maliki, and had excellent relations with all political divides.