On Monday, Iraq's president asked Ibadi to form a new government, despite opposition from Maliki, who has said he wants a third term as prime minister. "The country is now in your hands," Massoum told deputy parliamentary speaker Ibadi, in a televised ceremony. "I hope you will be successful in forming a broader-based government." Massoum's request came despite a legal ruling by Iraq's highest court earlier on Monday declaring that Maliki's Shiite-led State of Law political bloc was the largest grouping in parliament.