Iraq: Allawi withdraws from forming government

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Allawi on Monday withdrew from forming a government.

Speaking on state television, Allawi said he will not bow to pressure from political parties.

Stressing that he tried to save the country from uncertainty, he said he wanted to form an independent government.

Allawi also called on protestors to continue their strikes to achieve their rights.

He said he had informed President Barham Salih of his decision.

In response, Salih said he would designate another candidate to form a government within 15 days in consultation with political groups.

Iraq’s parliament failed Thursday to hold a vote of confidence for Allawi’s new cabinet as a quorum could not be reached. The delay prolonged the political deadlock.

Iraq has been rocked by mass protests since October over poor living conditions and high unemployment, forcing Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi to resign.

More than 600 people have been killed and 17,000 injured since the protests erupted, according to an Iraqi human rights group.

Abdul-Mahdi announced on Nov. 29 that his government would step down March 2 following a constitutional deadline during which parliament should approve a new cabinet.

He warned of a constitutional vacuum if parliament failed to approve the new government by that date.