Iraq PM orders arrest of Green Zone protesters

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Sunday ordered authorities to arrest and prosecute protesters who attacked security forces, lawmakers and damaged state property after breaking into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone to protest delays in reform plans.

Abadi's statement came a day after hundreds of angry anti-government followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr tore down walls and poured into the parliament building, exacerbating a long-simmering political crisis. Late Saturday, Abadi toured inside the parliament building, walking past damaged furniture.

Videos on social media showed a group of young men surrounding and slapping two Iraqi lawmakers as they attempted to flee the crowd, while other protesters mobbed lawmakers' motorcades. Jubilant protesters were also seen jumping and dancing on the parliament's meeting hall tables and chairs and waving Iraqi flags....
 [AP/alarabiya.net]
1/5/16
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Related:

• Followers of Iraq's prominent Shiite cleric storm Baghdad Green Zone. The political system created following the U.S.-led invasion in 2003 

• Iraq PM orders arrest of protesters...