The pair were martyred along with several others in an apparent drone strike ordered by US President Donald Trump.

The statement called the act “a flagrant violation of Iraqi sovereignty and a blatant attack on the dignity of the country… [and a violation] of the conditions for the presence of American forces in Iraq.”

Abdul Mahdi’s statement lauded Soleimani and Muhandis as “great symbols in achieving victory against the terrorist [group] IS” for their involvement in organizing and commanding the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

The caretaker prime minister also appeared to throw his weight behind legislation that would expel US troops from Iraq by calling for an extraordinary session of the Council of Representatives “in order to regulate the official Iraqi position and take necessary legislative and appropriate measures that preserve the dignity, security, and sovereignty of Iraq.”

Soleimani, who was head of the elite Quds Force, was martyred by US forces on Friday in an air strike at Baghdad airport.

Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also martyred in the attack, a militia spokesman said according to Reuters.

Reporter’s code: 50101