ERBIL - A source from the Iraqi Council of Representatives revealed on Saturday that Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi had officially handed in his resignation to the parliament.

Anadolu Agency cited the source who spoke on condition of anonymity as saying that Abdul Mahdi's letter was sent to the parliament.

The legislature is expected to discuss the resignation as well as the recent incidents in a session on Sunday.

The Iraqi premier said in a statement that he would hand in his resignation in hopes of improving the situation as hundreds of people have been killed and more than 15,000 others were injured during the demonstrations since early October.

The prime minister's announcement came in response to a call by the Iraqi supreme Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani who called on the Council of Representatives to form an interim government in order to meet the protesters' demands.

Since the 1st of October, tens of thousands of people in central and southern parts of Iraq have been taking to the streets, demanding for better life conditions and reforms against corruption.

According to Iraq's High Commission of Human Rights, over 340 people have been killed and more than 15,000 others suffered from injuries.


BasNews