Iraqi PM-designate won't participate in new govt formation

Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi said on Thursday that he will not participate in the formation of a new government, after major political blocs have pushed for the nomination of intelligence chief Mustafa al-Kadhimi to replace him.

In a letter released by local media, al-Zurfi said his decision aimed to "preserve Iraq's unity and its higher interests", reports Xinhua news agency.

He also pledged to continue serving the Iraqi people through his position as a lawmaker.

"I will continue to work and prepare for the upcoming early elections to complete the national project and develop its economic foundations for the reconstruction of Iraq," al-Zurfi noted.

On March 17, Iraqi President Barham Salih named al-Zurfi as the Prime Minister-designate to form an interim government after the Shia political blocs failed to nominate a candidate for the post.

On Wednesday, the Iraqi Forces Coalition, a major Sunni political bloc headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, announced in a statement its support for nominating al-Kadhimi as the new Prime Minister-designate.

Nechirvan Barzani, premier of the government of Iraq's semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, also said in a statement that his government supports the nomination of al-Kadhimi to form the government.