Iraqi prime minister-designate, Mohammad Allawi, said he has formed a politically independent executive and has called on parliament to hold a vote of confidence next Monday to allow his government to take office.

Allawi said he has put together "an independent government without any party candidates for the first time in decades."

Allawi added that he wanted the vote of confidence to occur on 24 February as a 2 March constitutional deadline nears.

Iraq has been the scene of massive street protests since 1 October, with demonstrators protesting what they see as the “elite” class taking control of government.

Demonstrators have also protested against foreign influence in the country, particularly Iran but also against the US military presence.

Allawi vowed that if his government won the confidence vote, it would immediately launch a probe into the killing of some 500 protesters during the street demonstrations and hold those responsible for the killings to account.

Allawi also said he would hold early elections that would be free from "the influence of money, weapons, and foreign interference" and called on protesters to give his government a chance despite a "crisis of confidence in everything related to politics" caused by previous administrations.

Allawi was designated premier by President Barham Salih on 1 February. Many protesters rejected Allawi as another member of the political elite holding power.