Source: Shiite leaders agree to keep Abdul-Mahdi until early elections

Shafaq News / Al-Fateh Alliance headed by Hadi Al-Amiri revealed on Wednesday an agreement among Shiite leaders to keep the resigned Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in office until the early legislative elections in the country.

A source in the alliance told "Shafaq News", "The head of Al-Fath Alliance Hadi al-Amiri and the head of al-Hikma Movement, Ammar al-Hakim held a meeting with the head of the State of Law coalition, Nuri al-Maliki to discuss the formation of the new Iraqi government, after Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi apologized for its formation."

The source added, "The meeting reached an agreement in principle to keep the caretaker Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi pending early elections at the end of this year."

The Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi announced his withdrawal from the formation of the transitional government after the parliament failed twice to hold an extraordinary session to give confidence to his government.

The President of the Republic, Barham Ahmed Salah agreed to Allawi's withdrawal, announcing the start of his consultations to choose an alternative candidate within a period of 15 days within the scope of his responsibilities according to the permanent Iraqi constitution.

Iraq is still without a government since the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, which he submitted under pressure from the Shiite supreme authority, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani after the escalation of violence against protesters.