Iraq’s prime minister after two months of unrest have chosen to withdraw following a call from the ayatollah.
Iraq’s prime minister, Adel Abdel-Mahdi, draws from the post, so that parliament can elect a new government.
This writes the news agency Reuters.
the Announcement comes after the senior shiite ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Friday called for a new leadership in the uroplagede country.
in response to this invitation and to facilitate it as soon as possible I will submit a request for parliament to accept my withdrawal from the leadership of the present government, writes Abdel-Mahdi in a message.
Iraq has for many weeks been hit by violent protests directed against the incumbent government.
the Unrest has claimed the lives of about 400 people, since they broke out in early October.
Especially young iraqis, have been on the streets in the capital Baghdad and southern Iraq. Here they have been protesting against corruption, lack of work and poor access to basic services like water and electricity.
Iraq’s government under severe pressure, promised extensive reforms in an attempt to soothe the anger in the population.
grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani utilized Friday its weekly prayer on to express his desire for a regeringsrokade.
It came to pass, after about 45 Casinomaxi protesters on Thursday were killed on one of the so far bloodiest days during the nearly two months long unrest.
It is not apparent from the message from the prime minister, when his withdrawal takes effect.
The iraqi parliament must be assembled on Sunday.
It is not the first time that the prime minister shows his willingness to leave the post.
Iraq’s president, Barham Saleh, announced already in the end of October, to Abdel-Mahdi was ready to withdraw.
the President added at the meeting, Abdel-Mahdi had asked that “the political blocs reach an acceptable alternative” to prevent the emergence of a political vacuum in the house.
/ritzau/
