Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said on Friday he would present his resignation to parliament so lawmakers could choose a new government, according to a statement from his office.

"I will submit to the Council of Representatives (parliament) an official letter requesting the resignation of the current Prime Minister post so that the council can reconsider its options," the 77-year-old veteran politician said.

His decision came in response to a call for a change of leadership on Friday by Iraq's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the statement said.

The statement did not say when he would resign. The Iraqi parliament is to convene an emergency session on Sunday to discuss the crisis.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani earlier urged the parliament to consider withdrawing its support for Abdul Mahdi's government to stem spiraling violence.

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Security forces meanwhile shot dead at least three people in the southern city of Nassiriya as clashes continued.

Iraqi forces have killed more than 350 demonstrators since mass anti-government protests broke out on October 1. More than a dozen members of the security forces have also died in clashes.

The burning of Iran's consulate in the holy city of Najaf on Wednesday escalated violence and drew a tougher response from security forces who shot dead more than 60 people nationwide on Thursday.

The unrest is Iraq's biggest crisis for years. It pits protesters from Shi'ite heartlands in Baghdad and the south against Shi'ite-dominated ruling elite seen by many as pawns of Iran.

Abdul Mahdi, who had served roles of Iraq's vice president, oil minister and finance minister, succeeded Haider al-Abadi as the prime minister in October 2018.

(With input from Reuters, Xinhua)

(Cover: Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi addresses the parliament during a vote on the new government in Baghdad, Iraq, October 24, 2018. /VCG Photo)