Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Saturday he will not to seek a third term in office, becoming the latest Arab leader to set out a term limit, dpa reported.
"I support the idea of implementing a two-term limit for the premiership, constitutionally, and by not running for a third term," al-Maliki said on state television.
Al-Maliki was appointed as premier late last year after nine months of political deadlock. It was his second time taking up the post, which he has held since 2006.
On Friday, al-Maliki agreed to cut his salary in half to help "reduce the gap in the living standards for the different classes" after growing unrest about poor public services and water shortages in the country.
Al-Maliki's remarks come amid political unrest in Egypt, where anti-government protesters have demanded that President Hosny Mubarak step down after nearly 30 years in power. Al-Maliki's Dawa party has backed the protesters and called for a peaceful transition of power.
Last month, Tunisia's Zine el Abidine Ben Ali was ousted from the presidency after 23 years in power. In Yemen, this week, President Ali Abdullah Saleh said he would not run again when his term expires in 2013. Saleh has ruled since 1978.
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