Iraqi President Barham Salih on Thursday said that he would approve early elections after amendment to the current election law and change the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to ensure fair elections.

"I, as the president of the republic, will approve early elections in accordance with a new election law and new electoral commission," Salih addressed the Iraqi people in a televised speech.

The Iraqi authorities are working to issue a new election law that "would be fairer and prevents manipulation and forgery," and would replace the current electoral commission with "a truly independent commission formed from judiciary and experts," Salih said.

Salih said that he expects next week to present the new draft law (election law) that the Iraqi authorities are working on in cooperation with experts of the United Nations.

Salih also confirmed that Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi "has agreed to submit his resignation, asking the political blocs to reach an acceptable alternative in light of the commitment to constitutional and legal contexts to prevent a constitutional vacuum."

Salih's speech came amid ongoing demonstrations in Baghdad and other cities in central and southern Iraq for the seventh successive day over comprehensive reform, corruption, improvement of public services and job opportunities.

Earlier this month, massive protests erupted in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and other central and southern provinces for similar reasons.

The Iraqi government has responded by presenting packages of reforms aimed at providing job opportunities, building housing complexes, paying stipends to the poor and scaling up the fight against corruption.

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