![Supporters of Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada Al-Sadr during a protest in Baghdad, Iraq on 30 July 2022 [Murtadha Al-Sudani/Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/d2.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AA-20220730-28534232-28534224-IRAQI_PROTESTERS_STORM_GREEN_ZONE_TO_REJECT_NOMINATION_OF_NEW_PREMIER.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
Leaders of Iraqi political parties launched a national dialogue on Wednesday in an attempt to resolve the country’s political crisis, amid a boycott by influential Shia cleric, Muqtada Al-Sadr, Anadolu News Agency reports.
In a statement, Sadr’s Movement said it will not participate in the dialogue, called by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
Wednesday’s session of dialogue was attended by UN envoy to Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert.
Tension flared up in Iraq in recent days following the nomination of Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani as a new prime minister by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of groups close to Iran.
The move triggered mass protests from supporters of Al-Sadr, who called for the dissolution of the Iraqi Parliament and holding early elections.
READ: Iraq has no hope of political change coming via Iran or the US
Last June, 73 lawmakers of Al-Sadr’s movement resigned from the 329-seat Parliament after failing to form a “national majority” government, as the Coordination Framework hampered the Cabinet formation.
Iraq has been in a political deadlock for nine months following the country’s general elections last October which failed, since then, to agree on a new government between the rival parties.