Iraqi prime minister calls for calm as protests continue

[sabra]

Source: DPA

Baghdad - Hundreds of protesters gathered Wednesday in Iraq's eastern Diyala province to call for the dismissal of local officials, despite continued appeals by Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki for people not to protest.

'Everybody should respect election results, which were a result of the will of the people,' al-Maliki told reporters in a reference to the January 2009 polls that elected the officials being targeted by protesters.

Al-Maliki had previously accused al-Qaeda and loyalists of former president Saddam Hussein of masterminding the protests. On Wednesday he blamed a lack of speedy reforms on 'the security situation.'

His comments did not stop Iraqis in Diyala from defying a curfew to demand reforms and the sacking of officials accused of corruption.

Read more: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1623181.php/Iraqi-prime-minister-calls-for-calm-as-protests-continue

[tabatha]

1. Is it not ironic

that probably the Iraqis could have staged their own protests, not had al-Qaeda enter the country, and not have had their country bombed to bits.

[Scottybeamer70]

2. More "progress and democracy"

in Iraq, I see. I'm sure they'll start throwing flowers our way at any moment!