BAGHDAD, Aug 11 (Reuters) - A bloc comprising Iraq's biggest Shi'ite parties is close to nominating a prime minister, the deputy speaker of parliament said on Monday, suggesting Nuri al-Maliki would have to step aside.
Haider al-Abadi's comments in a tweet came after police sources said special forces and Shi'ite militias loyal to Maliki had been deployed in strategic areas of Baghdad after he made a defiant speech on television suggesting he would not cave in to pressure to drop his bid for a third term.
Abadi is one of the people that has been mentioned as a possible successor to Maliki. (Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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