Iraqis press ahead with demand for new government

BAGHDAD

Crowds continued to gather in Tahrir Square in the Iraqi capital early Friday to protest against the failure of President Barham Saleh and Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi to appoint a new premier following Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s resignation.

According to the Iraqi constitution, parliament must propose a candidate for prime minister through inter-party negotiations to replace Abdul-Mahdi. If they fail to do so, President Barham Saleh has the right to appoint a prime minister himself.

But if parliament does not approve his choice and the post is still vacant at midnight Thursday, the constitution will put Saleh in the role, but only for 15 days.

Iraq has been roiled by mass protests since early October over poor living conditions and corruption, forcing Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to resign.

According to Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights, at least 496 Iraqis have been killed and 17,000 have been injured since the protests began on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Davut Demircan