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3 Killed, More Than 50 Hurt in Latest Iraq Clashes

Associated Press

   BAGHDAD - Three anti-government protesters were shot dead and at least
   58 others were wounded in Baghdad and southern Iraq on Saturday,
   security and medical officials said, as Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi
   formally submitted his resignation to parliament.

   Lawmakers were expected to either vote or accept outright Abdul-Mahdi's
   resignation letter in a parliamentary session Sunday, two members of
   parliament said.

   The prime minister announced Friday that he would hand parliament his
   resignation amid mounting pressure from mass anti-government protests,
   a day after more than 40 demonstrators were killed by security forces
   in Baghdad and southern Iraq. The announcement also came after Iraq's
   top Shiite cleric withdrew his support for the government in a weekly
   sermon.

   The formal resignation came after an emergency cabinet session earlier
   in which ministers approved the document and the resignation of key
   staffers, including Abdul-Mahdi's chief of staff.

   Caretaker cabinet

   In a pre-recorded speech, Abdul-Mahdi addressed Iraqis, saying that
   following parliament's recognition of his stepping down, the cabinet
   would be demoted to caretaker status, unable to pass new laws and make
   key decisions.

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