BAGHDAD, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Iraq's parliamentary speaker called Sunday for regional elections to dampen growing civil unrest in the country.
In Baghdad, Osama al-Nujaifi told a news conference he was advocating provincial elections within four months to war off the violent upheaval and dissent that has broken out in Northern Africa and the Middle East, Kuwait's KUNA news agency reported.
Protests began this month in cities and towns in Iraq, with demonstrators calling for improved basic services such as water and electricity. There also is growing dissent about perceived government corruption, al-Jazeera said.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki appeared on state television Sunday and announced he had given his Cabinet 100 days to improve social services or face dismissal, the reports said.
