Iraqi authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the mainly Shia country's Sunni vice-president, leading to fears of the government's collapse and an increase in sectarian tensions, according to BBC.

The warrant for Tariq al-Hashemi was issued under anti-terrorism laws, interior ministry officials said. It came after bodyguards of Mr Hashemi who were arrested reportedly accused him of having links to terrorism.

The main Sunni political bloc has said it is boycotting cabinet in response.

The Al-Iraqiya parliamentary bloc, which represents most of Iraq's Sunni Arab community, had already withdrawn from parliament, accusing Shia Arab Prime Minister Nouri Maliki of monopolizing power. Mr Hashemi has been an outspoken critic of Mr Maliki.

The upheaval comes the day after U.S. troops withdrew from Iraq.