Tens of thousands of Iraqis thronged central Baghdad on Friday, demanding the root-and-branch downfall of the political elite in the biggest day of mass anti-government demonstrations since the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Iraq's President Barham Saleh vowed on Thursday in a televised speech to hold early elections in response to a month of deadly protests, but his speech did not appear to impress demonstrators.

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Another woman died in Friday's protest after she was struck in the head by a tear gas canister, and at least 155 people were wounded as security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters gathering in the capital's Tahrir Square.

At least 250 people have been killed over the past month. 

Iraq's influential Shiite clerical establishment condemned "attacks on peaceful protesters and all forms of unjustified violence," saying those responsible should be held accountable.

The Iraqi government should listen to Iraqi protesters and relax recently imposed restrictions on the media and free expression, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Friday.

Pompeo also said all sides should reject violence, adding that the Iraqi government's probe of violence that occurred in early October "lacked sufficient credibility."

(With input from AFP and Reuters)