Iraqi protesters in various arenas refused to assign Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi to head the government, this comes after Allawi announced his assignment by Iraqi President Barham Salih to head the government, and the positions of the political blocs were clear.
The protestors of Tahrir Square (the Center for Protests in Baghdad) described the assignment of Allawi as prime minister as a disregard for their demands, and called in a statement to them what they called peaceful escalatory steps to respond to this step.
Protesters in Tahrir Square held up banners carrying pictures of Allawi, written on it the location of the candidate of political parties in the new government.
The protesters insist on forming a government independent of political parties and not subject to any external ties.
In the Tahrir Square, the protesters chanted slogans calling on political forces to stay away from the government formation file, and to abide by the candidates' sit-in areas agreed upon by the candidates for the post.
In Dhi Qar Governorate (south), hundreds of demonstrators marched in the Habboubi Square marches in the center of Nasiriyah, declaring their refusal to take over Allawi as prime minister.
In Najaf (south), hundreds of demonstrators in the Revolution Revolution Square expressed their refusal to assign Allawi, being a former minister in the government of Nuri al-Maliki, who is accused of stealing and wasting billions of dollars.
In Diyala governorate (east), hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the city of Baquba (the center of the governorate), declaring their refusal to assign Allawi.
Commissioning announcement
Earlier today, Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, the former Iraqi Minister of Communications, announced his nomination as head of the new government, hours before the end of the deadline, while the Presidency said that Allawi’s assignment would be announced later by an official statement.
The Iraqi President, Barham Salih, had warned the parliamentary blocs in the event that it could not resolve its selection earlier that it would cost the figure that he considers the most acceptable, representative and popular.
Allawi was quick to send a message to the protesters, through his Facebook page, inviting them to stay on the street until their demands are met.
He added that he would apologize for the formation of the government if the parliamentary blocs tried to impose their candidates and put pressure on him in the authorship process.
Reactions
In reactions to Allawi's mandate, the National Coalition led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said that the coalition has not nominated anyone to head the government and that the coalition will not be a false witness as described.
The coalition added on its website that it will not accept a candidate to be filled in from outside Iraq.
As for the leader of the Sadr movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, he said that it is the people who chose their prime minister, not the blocs, and this is a good step that will be strengthened in the future.
In a statement, Al-Sadr expressed his hope that Mr. Allawi will not give in to pressure and announce his program and speed up the start of the early elections.
Al-Sadr affirmed that everyone belonging to his movement would be prevented from throwing himself in the government or influencing its formation in any way.
Allawi pledged to form a government of technocrats independent of parties, to protect protests, and to make reforms, including fighting corruption, to early parliamentary elections.