Tires burnt in Najaf to protest Iraqi PM-designate

Black smoke filled the air as protesters burned tires to block main roads in the holy city of Najaf on Sunday, expressing their anger at the appointment of Mohammed Allawi as Iraq's Prime Minister-designate.

Protesters are demanding an independent Prime Minister and an end to Iraq's sectarian political system, alongside early elections and the stepping aside of the ruling elite.

The uprising began on October 1 when thousands of Iraqis took to the streets to decry rampant government corruption, poor public services and a scarcity of jobs.

Allawi was named prime minister-designate by rival Iraqi factions on Saturday after weeks of political deadlock.

The choice comes as the country weathers troubled times, including ongoing anti-government protests and the constant threat of being ensnared by festering U.S.-Iran tensions.

The selection of Allawi to replace outgoing Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi was the product of many backroom talks over months between rival parties.

Allawi was born in Baghdad and served as communications minister first in 2006 and again between 2010-2012.

He resigned from his post after a dispute with former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

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