By Staff, Agencies Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi withdrew his candidacy for the post as major political factions endorsed Intelligence Chief Mustafa Al Kadhimi to form a new government. Zurfi, who had been nominated by President Barham Salih, announced his withdrawal from the prime minister post in an official statement on Thursday.

Zurfi was tasked on March 17 with forming a new Iraqi government until the constitutional deadline of April 17.

His appointment came more than two weeks after former premier-designate Mohammed Allawi withdrew his candidacy for the post following the parliament’s failure to approve his cabinet.

Zurfi’s candidacy for the Iraqi premiership was met with widespread opposition form Shia-majority political factions, which recently endorsed Kadhimi for the position.

Many in Iraq viewed Zurfi’s appointment as a US-sponsored conspiracy against the country’s resistance front, which played a key role in defeating Daesh [the Arabic acronym for terrorist 'ISIS/ISIL' group].

Kurdish and Sunni movements have also supported Kadhimi’s nomination.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned last November in the wake of the demonstrations calling for economic reforms and a meaningful fight against corruption in state institutions