Zurfi withdraws candidacy for premiership as parties endorse Kadhimi

Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi has withdrawn his candidacy for the post as major political factions endorse intelligence chief Mustafa Al Kadhimi to form a government.

According to reports, Zurfi, who had been nominated by President Barham Salih, announced his withdrawal from the prime minister post in an official statement on Thursday, in a move that deepens the months-long political stalemate in the West Asian country.

Zurfi was tasked on March 17 with forming a new Iraqi government until the constitutional deadline of April 17.

His appointment came more than two weeks after former premier-designate Mohammed Allawi withdrew his candidacy for the post following the parliament’s failure to approve his cabinet.

Zurfi, the 54-year-old ex-governor of the holy city of Najaf, heads the Nasr parliamentary grouping of former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

His candidacy for the Iraqi premiership was met with widespread opposition form different political factions, which recently endorsed Kadhimi for the position.

Many in Iraq viewed Zurfi’s appointment as a US-sponsored conspiracy against the country’s resistance front, which played a key role in defeating the Daesh terror group in late.

Kurdish and Sunni movements have also supported Kadhimi’s nomination.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned last November in the wake of the demonstrations calling for economic reforms and a meaningful fight against corruption in state institutions.

SS