The National - Iraqi President Barham Salih has handed his resignation to parliament in the face of a political crisis amid nationwide anti-government protests, Iraqi media reported.

Officials in Baghdad were not available for comment when contacted by The National, but several major news sites in Iraq said that he has handed his resignation to parliament that will now meet to discuss and vote on the resignation. If they endorse the move, media quoted Mr Salih saying, he will step down.

Since the start of October, tens of thousands of Iraqis have been on the streets demanding a change in leadership and a government that can tackle endemic corruption, unemployment and improve public services.

On December, parliament voted to accept prime minister Adil Abdul Mahdi�s resignation, collapsing the government. Since then, no consensus has been reached on a replacement who can start assembling a government.