Iraq's president refused Thursday to designate the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc's nominee for the post of prime minister after he was rejected by anti-government protesters and said he was ready to submit his resignation to Parliament.

Barham Saleh said in a statement issued by his office that he would not name the governor of the southern Basra province, Asaad al-Eidani, as the country's next prime minister ``to avoid more bloodshed and in order to safeguard civil peace.`` Al-Eidani's name was proposed Wednesday by the Fatah bloc, which includes leaders associated with the Iran-supported paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces.

His name was promptly rejected by Iraqi protesters, who poured into the streets calling for an independent candidate.

According to Iraq's constitution, the largest bloc in parliament is required to nominate the prime minister, who is then designated by the president.

A deadline to name a new prime minister has been missed twice over disagreements on which is the largest bloc in the parliament following last year's elections.

Saleh, in his statement, said his refusal to desginate al-Eidani could be construed as a violation of the constitution and therefore said he was putting his resignation at the disposal of Parliament. He stopped short of actually submitting his resignation.