As fighting rages in the north, Iraq is facing a political crisis in Baghdad. On Monday Iraq’s president named a new prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, to end Nouri al-Maliki’s eight-year rule. Maliki, however, appears to be refusing to step down. He has accused the Iraqi president of staging a coup and deployed militias and special forces on the streets. Speaking Monday, President Obama pledged U.S. support for Maliki’s replacement.

President Obama: “Earlier today, Vice President Biden and I called Dr. Abadi to congratulate him and to urge him to form a new Cabinet as quickly as possible, one that’s inclusive of all Iraqis and one that represents all Iraqis. I pledged our support to him, as well as to President Massoum and Speaker Jabouri, as they work together to form this government.”

We’ll have more on the crisis in Iraq after headlines.