[DAILYSABAH] Iraq's president on Thursday called for the drafting of new election law and said he would approve early elections once it is enacted, bowing to anti-government protesters while insisting that the sweeping changes they are demanding be carried out in a constitutional way.Iraq has seen two waves of mass protests this month, with at least 250 protesters killed in festivities with security forces in Baghdad and across the Shiite-majority south. The protesters have demanded the resignation of the government and the overhaul of the political system put in place after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion
In a prime-time address, President Barham Salih expressed support for the protesters and their demands. He said Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi is prepared to resign once politicians agree on a replacement.
Abdul-Mahdi: "Say what?"
The process he laid out could take weeks or months, and it was unclear whether it would meet the demands of the protesters.
The demonstrators meanwhile clashed with security forces on a second bridge leading to Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone, with at least one person killed and more than 60 maimed.
Demonstrators have gathered in the Iraqi capital's Tahrir Square since the protests resumed nearly a week ago and have repeatedly clashed with security forces on the Joumhouriya Bridge. The festivities have now spread to the nearby Sanak Bridge, which also leads to the Green Zone, where the government is headquartered.
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