Iraq PM Nuri Maliki warns cabinet to shape up within 100 days or face "changes"

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki warned his cabinet on Sunday to shape up within 100 days or face "changes", as protest organizers called for a fresh set of rallies and religious leaders demanded reforms.

Maliki's remarks came after a third provincial governor stepped down following a series of demonstrations across the country, the biggest of which were on Friday when thousands took to the streets to rail against poor public services, rampant corruption and high unemployment.

"Mr. Maliki specified a 100-day period after which an assessment of the work of the government and ministries will be carried out to find out the level of their individual success or failure in performing their jobs," a statement from his office said, specifying that the 100-day period began on Sunday. "Changes will be made based on the assessments."

The statement also specified new measures would be taken to combat corruption, such as forcing ministries to advertise all job openings publicly to fight cronyism, with Maliki ordering ministers to root out graft in their own departments before Iraq's anti-corruption watchdog got involved.

Also on Sunday, the governor of Babil province, south of Baghdad, stepped down, the third such resignation this month, all from members of Maliki's State of Law coalition. "I have decided to resign because of weak public services and technical problems that have prevented us from completing projects like the construction of roads and bridges," said Salman al-Zargani.

Basra's governor stepped down on Friday amid protests in the provincial capital, while Kut's leader resigned early in February.