Iran Press/Middle East: In a telephone conversation on Saturday evening, Abdul Mahdi announced his readiness to work with Allawi.
Meanwhile, Iraqi politician and cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in a tweet urged Allawi to preserve Iraq's sovereignty and independence in order to maintain its position.
Muqtada al-Sadr also urged Allawi not to succumb to external pressure.
In a video message, Allawi announced that the Iraqi president has formally nominated him as prime minister-designate to form a new government.
Allawi has pledged to use his best efforts to hold early elections.
Allawi has been a member of the Iraqi parliament since 2003.
He also served as Iraqi Communications Minister under the government of Nouri al-Maliki.
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