Haider Al-Abadi: Meet the New Iraqi Prime Minister

An introduction to the Iraqi prime minister.

ByABC News
March 8, 2015, 7:15 AM

— -- Haider al-Abadi became Prime Minister of Iraq in September, replacing two-term Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, who came under fire for discriminating against Sunni Muslims and increasing religious tensions in the country.

Al-Abadi lived in exile for 30 years but returned after the fall of Saddam Hussein and entered politics, eventually rising to become the deputy speaker of the Iraqi Parliament.

Since taking office, he has called on the international community to help in the fight against ISIS by providing increased equipment and air support, but has experienced some tensions with the U.S. with regard to its role in the fight.

To learn more about al-Abadi, watch the ABC News Global Affairs digital original video above.