Iraqi authorities impose curfews, limit movement

    0
    21

    Iraqi riot police blocked the streets in the capital Baghdad on Friday as protesters headed on foot into the city center.

    STORY HIGHLIGHTS

    • Demonstrators gather in Iraqi cities after Friday prayers
    • Authorities impose curfews to limit access to city centers
    • At least 13 people died in protests a week ago

    (CNN) — Authorities imposed curfews and limited access to city centers across Iraq as thousands of protesters demanded economic progress and an end to corruption, police said.

    Demonstrators were reported to be gathering in Baghdad, Basra, Nineveh, Anbar and Salaheddin.

    The developments follow weeks of demonstrations across the country by protesters angry about unemployment, poor basic services, corruption and a lack of freedom. At least 13 people died in protests on February 25.

    “Liar, liar, Nuri al-Maliki,” some protesters were heard shouting in Baghdad. “Al-Maliki has become like Saddam,” others said, referring to former leader Saddam Hussein.

    “We have elected you to protect us and not to kill us,” one banner said.

    After an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki gave government ministers 100 days to deliver results and eliminate corruption or be fired.

    “We live in a country rich with oil, yet we don’t have jobs,” demonstrators said. “The oil for the people and not for thieves.”

    In Baghdad, police imposed a ban on the movement of vehicles across the city, forcing protesters to walk several kilometers to Tahrir Square.

    Still several thousands gathered there after Friday prayers.


    [Read more here|Read the original here|Read more from the original source|Continued here|Read more|More here|View original post here|More|See more here|See original here|Originally posted here|Here is the original post|See the original post|The rest is here|Read the rest here|See the rest here|Go here to read the rest|Go here to see the original|See the original post here|Read the original post|Original post|Read the original|Link|Excerpt from|View post|Visit link|Follow this link|Continue reading here|See the article here|Read this article