"I accepted the candidacy [of PM] of His Eminence Sayyid al-Sadr in support of his national reform project, and now is the time to step back and apologize, thanks to His Eminence Muqtada Al-Sar, and the National Save the National Salvation Alliance for their trust." Jaafar Al-Sadr, the son of the prominent Shiite cleric Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, said on Twitter.

Jaafar Sadr's withdrawal comes hours after Iraqi MPs from Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc resigned, in an attempt to facilitate forming the next government, Sadr claimed.

Soon, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbusi approved the resignation of all Sadr lawmakers. The former PM candidate keeps a low profile and is the Iraqi ambassador to the UK. 

Sadr's move opens the way for fresh elections and dissolution of the parliament, as no single block commands enough majority to form the next long-overdue Iraqi government. 

The latest political development in Iraq was the warning of Sadr Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr in recent days when he announced the option of the opposition to form a new government within a coordinated framework.

Earlier, the strong man cleric announced his intention of becoming opposition in the next government, saying if it helped to form the government. Sadr's move leaves the impression on Iraqis and his voters that he is not a hurdle in forming the next cabinet but somebody who truly works to form the next government. 

Muqtada has 73 loyal MPs in Baghdad, shy by tens of PMs for the absolute majority constitutionally required to form a cabinet. Other parliamentary blocs and alliances are short of forming the majority, and with Muqtada's move, the prospect of forming the next Iraqi government is unclear.