Iraq crisis: PM Maliki resigns to end political deadlock

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has resigned, in a move observers hope will end a political crisis in Baghdad.

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

The White House has praised the decision - saying that it was a big step towards uniting the country against the threats posed by Islamic State militants.

The BBC's Keith Doyle looks at the huge task that Iraq's new prime minister faces.