Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan Al-Zorfi confirmed that he will never apologize for completing his mission to form a government, while a protester was killed and others were injured in clashes with security forces in southern Iraq, in light of the curfew in effect due to the outbreak of the Corona virus.
Al-Zorfi said that he will present the government program today, Saturday, with an official request to the President of the Iraqi Council of Representatives to hold a session to give confidence to his government.
He added in a statement made yesterday evening Friday, and quoted by the Iraqi News Agency, that a national government will be formed that derives its legitimacy from the Iraqi parliament, after consulting with the parliamentary blocs, and to meet the demands of the Iraqi street. Referring to the ongoing protests since the fall of last year, and the demand for political and economic reforms, including fighting corruption and creating jobs for the unemployed.
He continued that the new government will work on four important axes: working to find solutions to the financial crisis, imposing state prestige and the rule of law, conducting free, fair and transparent elections, and establishing balanced international relations for what he described as a strong and moderate Iraq.
The designated Iraqi Prime Minister also said that the choice is left to members of parliament and national political blocs to give him confidence, reinforced by street support and compatibility with the opinion of the (Shi'a) authority to implement the government program.
After being assigned by President Barham Salih to form the government after his predecessor, Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, apologized for the mission, Al-Zarfi - a former governor of Najaf - began two weeks ago with consultations with political forces to form the government.
However, he immediately encountered opposition from four parliamentary blocs - most notably the Al-Fateh Alliance and the rule of law - which announced its refusal to authorize him to form the government, and accused President Barham Saleh of bypassing the constitution by mandating without the approval of the largest parliamentary bloc.
In previous statements, Al-Zarfi rejected his accusation by some Iraqi forces that he was close to the United States, and made pledges that included holding the protesters' killers accountable.
On the other hand, a protester was killed yesterday and seven others were shot dead during confrontations with the Iraqi security forces in the city of Nasiriyah (Dhi Qar Governorate Center, southern Iraq).
Anatolia news agency quoted witnesses as saying that dozens of demonstrators gathered in Al-Habboubi Square in Nasiriyah to protest the authorities' failure to provide assistance to poor families, in light of the curfew in effect since March 17 to prevent the spread of the Corona virus.
It is noteworthy that more than 600 people were killed in the protests, according to a toll presented by the Iraqi President and Amnesty International.