Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi accepted the resignation of Interior Minister Mohamed Salem al Ghabban, an Iraqi source said.

The resignation, declared by Ghabban in a press conference on Tuesday and submitted to the prime minister, was accepted, added the source.

So far, however, there is no relevant official statement from the media bureau of the Iraqi Premier.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ghabban said his undersecretary Aqeel al Khazali would assume the interior minister's post until the prime minister decides on his resignation. 

According to Ghabban, the resignation comes in the wake of the terrorist attack that rocked the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Sunday killing dozens, including many women and children.

The suicide bombing was carried out by a parked car bomb in central Karrada neighborhood, leaving 168 people dead and 185 others injured in addition to 81 unidentified charred bodies.

Source: MENA