BAGHDAD, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi President Barham Salih on Tuesday urged anti-government protesters and the political blocs to work together to nominate a new prime minister.
"We can all cooperate to nominate whoever we agree upon to head the (Council of Ministers) cabinet and form a new government within the constitutional terms," Salih said in a statement issued on the 2nd anniversary of the liberation of Iraq from the extremist Islamic State (IS) group.
Iraqis need a government that can guarantee the solution of Iraq's problems and construct the country and its institutions, Salih said.
On Dec. 10, 2017, Iraq declared the Victory Day after announcing full liberation of all Iraqi land from the extremist IS militants.
The anniversary of defeating the IS came as mass demonstrations have continued in the capital Baghdad and other cities in central and southern Iraq since early October, demanding comprehensive reform, fight against corruption, better public services and more job opportunities.
Since the early hours of the day, Iraqi security forces have deployed throughout Baghdad and tightened security measures amid calls for mass demonstrations.
Hundreds of protesters were due to arrive at Tahrir Square in central Baghdad from various provinces to put more pressures on the government for concrete reforms.
