"I am calling on the government to suspend the application of this decision. We should not punish Iraqis who risk their lives to go vote (in Thursday's vote) by increasing the price. If the government does not suspend this decision I will submit my resignation."

Iraqi oil minister Ibrahim Bahr al-Ulum told a press conference Monday as he threatened to resign unless the government cancelled a decision to increase gasoline prices, a move that has prompted demonstrations throughout the country.

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