ERBIL - Iraq's caretaker PM Adil Abdul Mahdi on Monday called for early elections as Mohammed Allawi has withdrawn his candidacy for the post of premier.

Abdul Mahdi revealed that he would stand down from the majority of his duties and that he would not chair any other meetings of Council of Ministers.

Earlier on Sunday, Allawi said that he would rather withdraw his candidacy for the country's premiership than negotiating with political parties on his "independent" government in regards to choosing candidates for the ministerial posts.

The caretaker prime minister urged the parliament to hold early elections on 4th December, this year.

Allawi was named as PM-designate after Abdul Mahdi resigned from his position in November in efforts to address the demands of the anti-government protesters who have been taking to the streets since October.