Prime Minister Maliki, who came to power in 2006, has vowed to seek a third term after his coalition dominated the vote.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called Saturday on Iraqi politicians to form a broad-based government to face Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters threatening large parts of the country, Agence-France Presse reported.

Ban “calls upon all Iraqi political parties to abide by the constitutional timeline that governs the nomination of the Prime Minister,” his spokesman said in a statement.

“He also calls for reason and wisdom to prevail and urges all leaders in Iraq to form a broad-based government that is acceptable to all components of Iraqi society.”

“Such a government should be able to mobilize the nation to confront the threat from the Islamic State (IS) in a way that will bring security and stability to the whole country.”

Iraq’s parliament has failed to choose a new prime minister following a deadlock after elections in April.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who came to power in 2006, has vowed to seek a third term after his coalition dominated the vote, but Iraq’s minority Sunni Arabs and ethnic Kurds, in addition to some of his fellow Shiites, have demanded his replacement.

The speedy formation of a more inclusive government is seen as a crucial step in countering the onslaught by ISIS militants, who have exploited resentment result of Iraq’s ineffectual and divided political leaders.

Ban also “remains deeply concerned about the evolving humanitarian and security situation in Iraq,” he said, adding that the U.N. “and the international community are also closely watching political developments” in Iraq, the statement read.

 
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