Iraqi PM-designate Allawi takes 'independent' cabinet to parliament vote

Allawi says government's first act will be to investigate protesters' deaths since unrest began in October

Newly appointed Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi delivers a televised speech in Baghdad, Iraq February 1, 2020. Iraqi Prime Minister Media Office/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
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Iraq's prime minister-designate Mohammed Allawi has formed a politically independent cabinet after weeks of stalemate, his office said on Wednesday.

Mr Allawi called on Parliament to hold an extraordinary session on Monday to give his cabinet a vote of confidence.

In a televised speech, he said his government's first act would be to investigate the killing of protesters in the months-long movement.

Protesters have been calling for the overthrow of Iraq's political elite, and action against poor social services, unemployment and corruption.

Mr Allawi said a "new page" had been turned in Iraq's history and that it was time to establish a "new phase".

He promised to hold an early election free from "the influence of money, weapons and foreign interference".

Mr Allawi called on protesters to give his government a chance, despite a "crisis of confidence in everything related to politics", which he blamed on his predecessors.

Meanwhile, Iraq's departing prime minister urged political leaders to quickly approve his successor's Cabinet, saying he would walk away from his caretaker post if they did not do so by March 2.

Facing a wave of protests and civil unrest that has claimed the life of almost 500 people since October 1, Adel Abdul Mahdi quit in November.

He has stayed on as a caretaker, but says now he is ready to leave, which would create a political vacuum at the top of the government.

"It would not be correct or appropriate for me to remain in power after March 2, and I will have no recourse but to implement the text of the constitution and the Cabinet's internal bylaws," said Mr Abdul Mahdi, who has already stopped chairing weekly Cabinet meetings.

It took Iraq's political leadership until February 1 to agree on Mr Allawi to replace Mr Abdul Mahdi, despite the constitution stating it must be done within 15 days of his resignation.