Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said yesterday that the resignation of his government is necessary to end the crisis in Iraq two months ago because of protests against the economic deterioration and rampant corruption in the country. In the meantime, Iraqi demonstrators continued their protests in Baghdad and southern areas, considering the resignation of the prime minister is not convincing, and insist on "the removal of all symbols of corruption."
In a speech at an extraordinary session of the Council of Ministers, Abdul-Mahdi said: "I submitted my resignation to the Parliament, after consulting the President of the Federal Court."
Abdul-Mahdi called on Iraqis to assess the positive developments in the country, during the past years, noting that the government «has achieved a lot in terms of foreign relations, to support the economy».
He said the Iraqi Prime Minister that «of the saboteurs from Andes amid peaceful demonstrators», expressing hope «do not hinder protests and security developments projects» the country.
"Many of the files of corruption in Iraq have been combated," Abdul Mahdi concluded.
A statement by the Prime Minister's Information Office said that the Prime Minister affirmed the principle of the peaceful transfer of power in the democratic system.
He called on members of the government to continue their work, until the formation of the new government.
The Iraqi Council of Ministers, in its extraordinary session yesterday, the resignation of the Director of the Office of the Prime Minister Abu Jihad al-Hashemi, and the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Hamid al-Ghazi.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi demonstrators continued their protests in Baghdad and the southern areas yesterday, considering the resignation of the prime minister is not convincing, and insisting on "the removal of all symbols of corruption."
According to a press source that the demonstrators lit tires, aboard three bridges along the Euphrates River, while hundreds gathered in the main protest square in the city center.
Renewed demonstrations in Nasiriyah, despite the bloody crackdown by the security forces, which killed more than 40 demonstrators, during the past two days, in the city.
Eyewitnesses said yesterday that 16 people were injured after being shot by police forces when they tried to storm the headquarters of the Federal Police in the city of Nasiriyah, the center of Dhi Qar province.
The city of Najaf witnessed a relative calm, yesterday morning, according to an AFP correspondent.
Karbala witnessed protests, including gas bombs.
In Diwaniya, thousands took to the streets early, demanding the "overthrow of the regime."
One of the protesters said: «We will continue this movement, the resignation of Abdul Mahdi is only the first step, and now must remove all corrupt personalities, and bring them to justice».
Parliament is scheduled to meet today, at a time when Iraq has not witnessed since the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein in 2003, the departure of a prime minister before the end of his term.
The Iraqi Council of Ministers accepts the resignation of the Director of the Prime Minister's Office and the Secretary General of the Council.