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Iraq's prime minister to resign after day of deadly violence

It comes a day after more than 40 protesters were killed by Iraqi forces, as violence in the country worsens.

Friday 29 November 2019 13:42, UK

Baghdad, IRAQ: Iraq's Vice President and Parliament member Adel Abdul-Mahdi speaks during a special parliament session in Baghdad, 13 April 2007. Leaders from across Iraq's bitter sectarian divide pleaded today for unity at a special session of parliament, gathering in defiance to condemn a suicide bombing that tore through the building the day before killing an Iraqi MP. AFP PHOTO/POOL/CEERWAN AZIZ (Photo credit should read CEERWAN AZIZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Adel Abdul-Mahdi will offer his resignation
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Iraq's prime minister has announced that he is resigning in the wake of deadly anti-government protests.

Adel Abdul-Mahdi's announcement was broadcast on Iraq's state television, just over a year after he took office.

It comes a day after more than 40 protesters were killed by Iraqi security forces, and hours after the country's top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, called for a change in leadership.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 11, 2019: Iraqi security forces try to push back anti-government demonstrators to Tahrir Square (Liberation Square) and the Al-Jumuriyah, firing tear or even sometime real bullets to prevent protesters occupied again other bridges in downtown Baghdad More than 300 protesters have been killed during the unrest, which started October 1. (Photo by Laurent Van der Stockt for Le Monde/Getty Images)
Image: Violence in Iraq has been worsening over the last few weeks

Ayatollah Al-Sistani also warned of civil war amid the violence in the country's southern provinces.

In a statement, Mr Abdul-Mahdi said: "In response to this call [from the Shia cleric], and in order to facilitate it as quickly as possible, I will present to parliament a demand [to accept] my resignation from the leadership of the current government."

The announcement gave no indication of a specific time frame, but parliament is due to convene on Sunday.

Celebrations erupted in Baghdad's Tahrir Square after the announcement, where anti-government protesters have been camped out for almost two months.

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On Friday, attacks in the southern city of Nasiriyah killed three protesters, while injuring eight more, leading to the United Nations saying it was deeply concerned and reiterating its call for Iraqi security forces to show "maximum restraint" on protesters.

Iraq has been in midst of anti-government protests for weeks, with an estimated 400 mostly peaceful activists being killed.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - NOVEMBER 19: Thousands of protesters and citizens of Baghdad gather to watch a football match between Iraq and Bahrain on a giant screen in Tahrir Square on November 19, 2019 in Baghdad, Iraq. Thousands of demonstrators have occupied Baghdad's center Tahrir Square since October 1, calling for government and policy reform. For many, Tahrir Square, which protesters are calling "a free state with a failed state," has become a symbol of potential change as it offers free medicine, food, electricity and even hot showers, all provided and supported by the protesters. (Photo by Erin Trieb/Getty Images)
Image: Protests have mostly been peaceful

Protesters are angry with the level of corruption, the poor performance of the economy and the lack of public services in Iraq.

Many people in the country face frequent power outages, and end up using privately funded generators to keep the lights on.

Protesters are not just calling for government resignations, but widespread changes to the way the country is run.

Mr Abdul-Mahdi had previously offered the activists a reform and re-shuffle package - but this was rejected.

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