Skip to main content
Iraq

Hundreds of Iraqis demonstrate after deadline expires

Hundreds took to the streets of Iraqi cities on Friday, denouncing what they say is a lack of government progress after a 100-day deadline, set by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki expired.

Reuters
Advertising

About 400 protesters converged on Baghdad's main Tahrir Square, carrying banners and chanting slogans against Maliki's government and calling for better public services.

But the demonstration was overshadowed by a larger rally of some 3,000 people, also at Tahrir Square, calling for the execution of 25 accused insurgents, whom authorities allege took part in a 2006 massacre at a wedding party.

Hundreds of anti-government protesters also gathered in the cities of Hilla, Basra and Nasiriyah, to the south of Baghdad.

Anti-government activists had called for protests in the capital and other parts of the nation on Friday, the first Muslim weekend since Maliki's deadline expired on Tuesday.

While signs of progress are visible, from road-building projects to sewerage upgrades, little landmark legislation has been passed, and key issues remain unresolved.

Maliki had set the timetable on 27 February,  declaring that reviews would be carried out based on ministerial performance over the ensuing 100 days and warning that "changes will be made" based on those assessments.

But the day before the deadline was set to expire, he indicated no top politicians would be dismissed for poor performance, insisting his remarks had been misunderstood.

In response to the February rallies, Iraq re-allocated some money originally earmarked to purchase fighter planes to buying food for the poor.

It also reserved 400 million dollars for generator fuel to power air conditioners over the boiling hot summer and launched high-profile projects such as the roadworks and sewerage repairs.

 

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app

Share :
Page not found

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.