Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of Iraq said he would submit his resignation to Parliament, following weeks of nationwide antigovernment protests that have left hundreds dead.
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of Iraq announced on Friday that hewould submit his resignation to Parliament, following weeks of nationwide antigovernment protests that have left hundreds dead.
The announcement prompted jubilant celebrations at the main protest site, Tahrir Square in Baghdad, the capital.
While Parliament is likely to accept his resignation, the timing is unclear. What is certain is that the resignation of Mr. Mahdi, 78, would lead Iraq into uncharted territory, as he would be the first prime minister to resign from office since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
In a statement issued by his office, Mr. Mahdi said he was stepping down so that the government could “reconsider its options” and “preserve the blood of its people, and avoid slipping into a cycle of violence, chaos and devastation.”
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi of Iraq said he would submit his resignation to Parliament, following weeks of nationwide antigovernment protests that have left hundreds dead.
While Parliament is likely to accept his resignation, the timing is unclear. But it would lead Iraq into uncharted territory, since no prime minister in the country has ever resigned from office.