White House commends al-Maliki for stepping aside

The White House is commending Iraq's incumbent prime minister for stepping aside.

President Barack Obama's national security adviser is expressing hope that the power shift "can set Iraq on a new path and unite its people" against a security threat from ISIS militants.

Susan Rice also says the United States remains committed to a strong partnership with Iraq and its people.

After initially struggling to stay in power, Nouri al-Maliki relinquished his post late Thursday to fellow Dawa Party member, Haider al-Abadi.

Rice's comments came in a statement issued while she was accompanying Obama on his Martha's Vineyard vacation.