'Assembly should be dissolved', UN concerned over Iraq's political crisis

 The United Nations has expressed concern over the ongoing political crisis in Iraq and has urged the leaders to play a role in solving it, while the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr has demanded the dissolution of the parliament and new elections.

According to the French news agency AFP, even though 10 months have passed since the elections in the oil-rich country, no government has yet been formed and neither the president nor the prime minister have been elected.

"We call on all parties to act without delay and agree on a solution," the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq said in a statement.

According to the report, Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, whose group won last year's elections, has been protesting in parliament for six days.

Muqtada al-Sadr's group opposes the prime ministerial nominee, who belongs to a rival Shiite group and is backed by Iran.

On the other hand, the outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazmi has demanded all parties to come to the negotiation table in the appeal.

He also spoke to President Braham Saleh on Wednesday.

According to the Iraqi News Agency, in the conversation, both emphasized the need for the security and stability of the country.

The UN mission also says that "the need for meaningful dialogue between all parties has never been greater than today as recent events could lead to further deterioration of political tensions."

It may be recalled that on Tuesday, a key official of the Muqtada al-Asdar group had given 72 hours time to the followers to move their protest from the main hall of the Parliament to the outer premises of the building.

According to the message of the United Nations, "Iraq is facing many internal problems, there is a dire need for urgent economic reforms and a federal budget."

Iraq is the Organization's second-biggest oil producer and 90 percent of its revenue comes from oil, although the 2022 budget has yet to be announced.

In June, Parliament passed an emergency bill for grain supplies.

Besides, Muqtada al-Sadr's demand to dissolve the parliament and hold new elections has come after his supporters seized the parliament.

According to the country's constitution, the parliament can be dissolved only by majority vote or after consultation of the prime minister with the president.

Muqtada al-Sadr says, "I believe that the majority of the country's population is dissatisfied with the ruling class, including some politicians who belong to my party."