Iraq president offers to quit after rejecting PM nominee

(AP) BAGHDAD – Iraq’s president has refused to designate the prime minister nominee proposed by the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc. In a statement issued by his office Thursday, Barham Salih said he would not name Asaad al-Eidani, the governor of the southern Basra province. Al-Eidani was proposed as a candidate Wednesday by the Fatah bloc, which includes leaders associated with the Iran-supported paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces. His name was promptly rejected by Iraqi protesters, who flooded the streets to demand an independent candidate.