Baghdad, March 2 (TIWN) Iraqi President Barham Salih on Monday began consultations with parliamentary political blocs to choose an alternative Prime Minister-designate to form a new cabinet following the incumbent Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi's apology.

A statement by Salih''s media office said the President called on the lawmakers to work seriously to achieve a true national agreement on choosing the alternative candidate within 15 days, in accordance with the Constitution, to form a new government, reports Xinhua news agency.  "The alternative candidate who would be designated to form the interim government should be acceptable by both people and lawmakers. The interim government should abide by its obligations toward citizens, and should be entrusted with holding early parliamentary elections," Salih confirmed.