The designated candidate to be Iraq's new prime minister, Mohammad Tawfiq Allawi has withdrawn his candidacy hours after parliament adjourned a session to approve his cabinet choices.

Iran Press/Middle East: Allawi took to twitter to ask the Iraqi presidency to excuse him from forming a new government.

قدمت رسالة الى السید رئیس الجمهوریة اعتذر فیها عن تکلیفی بتشکیل الحکومة. کنت امام هذه المعادلة - منصب رئیس الوزراء مقابل عدم الصدق مع شعبی و الاستمرار بالمنصب على حساب معاناته...(1/2)

— محمد توفیق علاوی Mohammed Allawi (@MohammedAllawi) March 1, 2020

He added that continuing his tenure under such circumstances would run contrary to his promises to the Iraqi people.

President Barham Salih was expected to begin discussions to choose a new candidate for prime minister. 

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