Iraqi President nominated country's new prime minister

Iraqi President Barham Salih today appointed the country's new prime minister, ending the political crisis, which lasted for more than two months, state television reported.

Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi will lead the country's government until the new elections are held. It has one month to form the government.

This announcement comes as Iraqis continue anti-government protests, which have entered in the fourth month.

In November last year, former Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mhad resigned after protesting corruption and living standards. Almost 500 protesters have been killed by security forces since the protests started.

Allawi was quoted as saying he would resign if political blocks in the country were to impose candidates for ministerial posts.

He has also called on protesters to continue demonstrating until their demands are met.

Allawi has been the minister of communications in the government of the former prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, broadcast Radio Free Europe.