Iraqi President Tenders Resignation to Parliament

Iraqi President Barham Salih sent a letter to the parliament on Thursday to voice his readiness to resign in a bid to open up for public choice after protests over unemployment and low-quality public services.

News ID: 448106

Date: 26 December 2019 - 21:38

RNA - Arabic-language TV channel Al-Mayadin reported on Thursday that Barham Salih has declared his decision to resign from his post as Iraq's president.

Refusing to name prime minister, Salih has sent the letter from the Presidency to the Iraqi parliament, but it is not yet clear whether the parliament will accept his resignation.

"By submitting my resignation, I affirm that the political and parliamentary movement must reflect popular will," the Iraqi president wrote in his letter.

It came just weeks after Iraq’s parliament had approved the resignation of Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi.

Demonstrations have rocked primarily the capital Baghdad and other areas in Iraq in recent months over the failing economy and a demand for anti-corruption reforms. The rallies have, however, turned into violent confrontations on numerous occasions, with reports alleging that certain foreign-backed elements have been seeking to wreak havoc on the country, as the country's officials are trying to meet public demands.

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