Iraq's caretaker Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki says it will take a federal court ruling for him to leave power.
Iraq's President Fuad Masum on August 11 asked senior Shi'ite politician Haidar al-Abadi to form a new government.
But Maliki said on August 13 that Abadi's appointment was a "violation" of the constitution and "had no value."
Maliki said in his televised weekly address, "I confirm that the government will continue and there will not be a replacement for it without a decision from the Federal [Supreme] Court."
Maliki, the premier since 2006, has served in a caretaker capacity since an inconclusive election in April.
He has been accused of fueling sectarian violence as the country is battling an Islamist insurgency, but he has refused calls by Sunni, Kurdish, and fellow Shi'ite politicians to step down.
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa