Iraq’s cabinet on Sunday approved by consensus a package of sweeping reforms proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in response to weeks of protests against corruption and poor services.

Iraq's cabinet on Sunday approved by consensus a package of sweeping reforms proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in response to weeks of protests against corruption and poor services, his office said.

"The cabinet unanimously approved the first package of reforms presented by... Abadi in an extraordinary session," his office said in a statement.

But at least some of the changes apparently require amendments to the constitution, which would necessitate action by parliament before they take effect.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called for several reforms, including abolishing the current post of his predecessor Nuri al-Maliki, in response to weeks of demonstrations against corruption and poor services.