Iraq PM nominee has president seething

Iraqi President Barham Salih refused on Thursday to designate the nominee of an Iran-backed parliamentary bloc for prime minister, saying he would rather resign than appoint someone to the position who would be rejected by protesters.

The Bina bloc, led by Iran-backed militia leader Hadi Al Amiri, had nominated Basra Governor Asaad Al Edani to be the next prime minister following weeks of political deadlock.

But Salih said in a statement that appointing Edani would not placate protesters demanding an independent prime minister with no party affiliation or help calm the unrest that has rocked the country.

He said that because the constitution does not give him the right to reject nominees for the premiership, he was ready to quit. "Out of my desire to stop blood and maintain peace, and with due respect to Asaad Al Edani, I refuse to nominate him," Salih said.

"Therefore I put my willingness to resign the post of president to members of parliament so that they decide as representatives of the people what they see fit."

Salih's resignation may only complicate the deadlock, as lawmakers must first choose a replacement for him, and that person must then nominate a premier.

According to the constitution, the speaker of parliament will first resume the presidency on an interim basis. Mass protests have gripped Iraq since October 1 and the mostly young protesters are demanding an overhaul of a system they see as profoundly corrupt and as keeping most Iraqis in poverty. More than 450 people have been killed during mass protests. - Reuters