Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi said Friday he would submit his resignation to parliament, a day after more than 40 people were killed by security forces and following calls by Iraq’s top Shiite cleric for lawmakers to withdraw support. Abdul-Mahdi was appointed prime minister just over a year ago as a consensus candidate between political blocs. Security forces had fired live rounds the previous day to disperse protesters from two key bridges, killing 31 people. Security forces have used live fire, tear gas and smoke bombs to disperse crowds. A spokesman for the U.N. secretary-general expressed deep concern over the use of live ammunition against protesters on Friday.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 29, 2019 12:56 UTC