Baghdad, Iraq (BBN)-A top Iraqi court has ruled that PM Nouri Maliki's bloc is the largest in parliament, in a boost to his bid to stay on for a third term.
The decision means that President Fuad Masum, who Maliki criticised for not intervening after parliament failed to appoint him, will now have to invite him to form a government.
It comes as pro-Maliki security forces took to the streets of Baghdad.
Maliki faces calls to step down amid a jihadist insurgency in the north.
BBN/JF-11Aug14-2:50pm (BST)