Iraq's al-Maliki gives up post to rival

Looks like the Prime Minister of Iraq, Nouri al-Maliki has "stepped down" after some pressure.

Apparently he was pro-Shi'ite and now a pro-Sunni is taking over.

This helps the Saudi/Qatar efforts I will assume ?

Now what?

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced late Thursday that he was relinquishing his post to his nominated replacement, ending a political deadlock that has plunged the country into uncertainty as it fights a Sunni militant insurgency.

Standing alongside senior members of his party, including rival Haider al-Abadi, al-Maliki said he was stepping aside in favor of his "brother," in order to "facilitate the political process and government formation."

Iraq's al-Maliki gives up post to rival