Prime Minister of Iraq Adel Abdel Mahdi on Friday announced his intention to resign on the background of the ongoing protests in the country, reports TASS.

“I intend to file my resignation to the Council of Representatives [of the Parliament],” the Prime Minister said, reports Al Arabiya. Abdel Mahdi substantiated his decision, saying he “doesn’t want to let Iraq roll over into the precipice of violence and chaos”.

Protests have been going on in Iraq since early October when citizens took the streets to protest against deterioration of living conditions, youth unemployment and corruption.

Based on the latest statistics, more than 400 people have been killed and over 15,000 have been injured during the disturbances.