Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr asks his followers not to interfere as his rivals form a coalition of Iran-backed Shia parties, trying to cobble together a cabinet.
The postponement exacerbates Iraq's political problems because it is the task of the president to formally name a prime minister, who must be backed by an absolute majority in parliament.
The positive rebranding of Muqtada al Sadr by international media and experts serves to entrench the broken post-2003 Iraqi political order, not fix it.
Iran-backed militias are in a relatively weakened state, but will try anything to avoid being left out of the government.
The militant groups want a seat at the table, and are willing to apply whatever pressure it takes to ensure that they do.
No group has claimed responsibility for the drones attack launched at Prime Minister Mustafa al Kadhimi's Baghdad residence, where he escaped unhurt.
Moqtada al Sadr's party is the biggest winner in the Iraqi election, increasing the number of seats the Muslim cleric holds in parliament, according to initial results, officials, and a spokesperson for the Sadrist Movement.
Meanwhile, Brahim Ghali, the leader of a movement seeking independence from Morocco, testified before an investigating magistrate at the National Court in Madrid into allegations against him of torture, genocide and other crimes.
Tensions in the former Spanish colony have sparked concern around the globe, with the United Nations, the African Union, Algeria and Mauritania urging both sides to respect a 1991 ceasefire.
Iraqi protesters are concerned whether Prime Minister Mahdi's replacement will be acceptable to the nation, while experts warn that any bold moves by Iran could lead to further bloodshed or worse.
Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi insists on a political reconciliation rather than early elections, but the leaders of the two largest blocs in the parliament insist he must step down.
The United Nations had earlier urged for an end to violence in Iraq, during six days of anti-government rallies marred by the killing of over 100 people, mainly protesters.
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