BAGHDAD

Leaders of Iraqi political parties launched a national dialogue on Wednesday in an attempt to resolve the country’s political crisis, amid a boycott by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

In a statement, the Sadr’s movement said it will not participate in the dialogue, called by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.

Wednesday’s session of dialogue was attended by UN envoy to Iraq Jeanine Plasschaert.

Tension flared up in Iraq in recent days following the nomination of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as a new prime minister by the Coordination Framework, a coalition of groups close to Iran.

The move triggered mass protests from supporters of al-Sadr, who called for the dissolution of the Iraqi Parliament and holding early elections.

Last June, 73 lawmakers of al-Sadr's movement resigned from the 329-seat Parliament after failing to form a "national majority" government, as the Coordination Framework hampered the Cabinet formation.

Iraq has been in a political deadlock for nine months following the country’s general elections last October, which failed since then to agree on a new government between the rival parties.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar