Iraqi Premier Calls on Parliament to Accept His Resignation

“I have no doubt that the council and its members will be diligent in finding a suitable replacement as soon as possible as the country in its current state can’t rely on a daily caretaker government,” he said during a meeting with the National Security Council, Bloomberg reported.

The initial announcement Friday that he would step down sparked celebrations in the capital, Baghdad, and rallies in the southern city of Basra as protesters welcomed the apparent climb down.

On Friday, the prime minister said that once he departs, parliament can “review its options and act to preserve the interests of Iraq.”

Over 300 people have been killed in the Iraq unrest since October 1, according to the Iraqi parliament’s human rights commission.

Earlier this month, Iraqi Defense Minister Najah al-Shammari told France 24’s Arabic-language channel that a “third party” was behind shootings targeting demonstrators.

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