Traders were relieved after Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte expressed concern about the government bond spread and pledged reforms.

It has promised to specify its pledged reforms and reach an agreement with its lenders on the final list by April.

Slideshow (14 images) In his overnight address, Abdul Mahdi pledged reforms but said there was no "magic solution" to Iraq's problems.

Buhari scrapped the feared police unit and pledged reforms, but the demands from the young protesters broadened to calls for more sweeping change.