Iraq's president has refused to designate a prime minister candidate nominated by the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc and offered to resign, plunging the country into further political uncertainty amid
President Barham Salih said in a statement on Thursday issued by his office that he would not name the governor of the southern Basra province, Asaad al-Eidani, as the country's next prime minister "to avoid more bloodshed and in order to safeguard civil peace".
Al-Eidani's name was proposed on Wednesday by the Fatah bloc, which includes leaders associated with the Iran-supported paramilitary Popular Mobilisation Forces.
His nomination was promptly rejected by Iraqi protesters who poured into the streets demanding an independent candidate.
Barham Salih has offered to step aside. Source: AP
Demonstrators first took to the streets on 1 October to call for the overthrow of Iraq's entire political class over corruption and mismanagement.
The mass uprisings prompted the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi late last month.
More than 450 people have been killed since October, the vast majority of them protesters killed by security forces firing tear gas and live ammunition.
Anti-Asaad al-Eidani protesters holding a defaced image of the politician, with the Arabic caption that reads "rejected by the people". Source: AP
Concentrated in Baghdad and the mostly Shiite-inhabited south, the protests have since evolved into an uprising against Iran's political and military influence in the country.
Salih said he was prepared to submit his resignation to parliament, as his refusal to designate al-Eidani could be construed as a violation of the constitution.
He stopped short of actually stepping down, however, saying in a statement addressed to the parliament speaker that he would leave it up to lawmakers to decide "as they see fit".
Shortly after issuing the statement, the president left Baghdad for his hometown in the northern city of Sulaimaniyah.
Under the constitution, parliament has seven days to accept or reject a president's resignation before it automatically goes into effect. It was unclear how lawmakers would react, as Salih did not officially resign.
Demonstrators burn tires to close a way in central Karbala city, southern Iraq. Source: EPA
Signalling a hardline stance, the Fatah bloc slammed Salih's decision to not name al-Eidani and called for his impeachment.
"We call on parliament to take legal measures against the president for shirking his constitutional oath and breaching the constitution," it said in a statement.
In Baghdad's Tahrir Square, which has emerged as a focal point of their demonstrations, protesters gathered to celebrate the president's decision.
"This is a victory for the demonstrators and a victory for the blood of the martyrs," said activist Hassanein Gharib.
"Because of street pressure, the candidate of the (political) parties was rejected, and we will not accept and we will not return to our homes if the party candidate is nominated."
According to Iraq's constitution, the largest bloc in parliament is required to nominate the new prime minister, who then has to be designated by the president.
A deadline to name a new prime minister has been missed twice over disagreements on which is the largest bloc in the parliament following last year's elections.
