Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday ordered Iraq’s security forces to stay out of a "political crisis" over who will form the next government, amid fears they could intervene.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday ordered Iraq's security forces to stay out of a "political crisis" over who will form the next government, amid fears they could intervene.

The two-term premier, whose bid to stay in power has faltered, urged security personnel "to stay away from the political crisis and continue in their security and military duties to defend the country," a statement on Maliki's website said.

In this context, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday warned that Iraqi security forces must not intervene in a political crisis sparked by the appointment of a new prime minister.

"It is imperative that the security forces refrain from intervening in the political process," Ban told reporters at UN headquarters in New York.