![Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi speaks during extraordinary cabinet meeting after he handed his resignation letter to the parliament, in Baghdad, Iraq on 30 November 2019. [Prime Ministry of Iraq / Handout - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/d2.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191130_2_39608256_49957528.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
The Iraqi parliament has approved the resignation of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi during an emergency session held Sunday.
Abdul-Mahdi resigned on Saturday following weeks of violent anti-establishment protests that killed hundreds of protesters and wounded thousands more.
Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Ali al-Sistani, on Friday called on the country’s lawmakers to reconsider their support for Abdul Mahdi’s government to stop the cycle of violence in the country.
Read: Iraqi protesters torch house of Dhi Qar commander
According to the Iraqi constitution, the premier’s resignation is considered valid from the date of its announcement.
The parliament must appoint a new candidate for the prime minister’s post within a maximum period of thirty days from the date of the government’s resignation.
Meanwhile, the protesters welcomed Abdul-Mahdi’s resignation. However, they explained that it does not fulfil all their demands, but is the first step towards their goals.