BAGHDAD, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi President Barham Salih on Tuesday called for a national dialogue to promote reform demanded by the Iraqi people, asserting the urgent need to amend the election law.

A statement by his office Salih said that "Iraq is on the verge of major transformations, and we need major reforms that restore confidence (of Iraqi people) in the country's system of governance."

Salih made the remarks while receiving in his office representatives of the United Nations, the Iraqi Electoral Commission, media and activists, the statement said.

"We call for a national dialogue in which we address the imbalances in the system of governance in our country, to achieve a free and dignified life for our people," Salih said.

In a separate statement, he asserted the need to deal seriously and responsibly with the legitimate demands of the demonstrators, during a meeting with former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

The statements came after a wave of protests in many cities in central and southern Iraq over the worsening living conditions which threatened to drag the crisis-ridden state back into violence and disintegration.

The protests claimed the lives of over 100 people, including eight security members, and wounded 6,107 others.