SADR CALLS FOR ONE MILLION TO DEMONSTRATE ACROSS IRAQ
Supporters of prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr shout slogans during a protest against government corruption after Friday prayers in Baghdad’s Sadr City, April 8, 2016.
REUTERS/Ahmed Saad
4 hours ago
SULAIMANI – Iraq’s religious and political figure Moqtada al-Sadr issued a call on Saturday (April 23) for Iraqis to hold demonstrations to pressure lawmakers to vote in a new cabinet.
Sadr called for a million people to take to the streets across the country on Monday (April 25) and push parliamentarians to vote on the new appointees in a “free and transparent” session.
“Some political parties don’t want the parliament session to be held,” Sadr said in the statement, accusing some MPs of stalling the reform process. “All people should participate in a peaceful demonstration.”
Sadr called recent peaceful demonstrations in the country’s capital “historical” and urged for a large turnout on Monday.
“Your readiness for a demonstration of a million on Monday will frighten the authorities and oblige them to hold a parliamentary session to vote [the new cabinet] freely and transparently,” he said.
Imad Khafaji, Spokesman for Iraqi Parliament’s Speaker Salim al-Jabouri, said on Sunday (April 24) that parliament would hold a session on at 1 pm on Tuesday (April 26) to discuss reform and new cabinet reshuffle.
Jabouri ordered the suspension of the assembly on April 22 due to ongoing political disputes in over government reforms and a cabinet shakeup.
Leaders in Iraq and Coalition countries have warned that political disputes among blocs threaten the effort to advance against Islamic State militants.
(NRT)
Supporters of prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr shout slogans during a protest against government corruption after Friday prayers in Baghdad’s Sadr City, April 8, 2016.
REUTERS/Ahmed Saad
4 hours ago
SULAIMANI – Iraq’s religious and political figure Moqtada al-Sadr issued a call on Saturday (April 23) for Iraqis to hold demonstrations to pressure lawmakers to vote in a new cabinet.
Sadr called for a million people to take to the streets across the country on Monday (April 25) and push parliamentarians to vote on the new appointees in a “free and transparent” session.
“Some political parties don’t want the parliament session to be held,” Sadr said in the statement, accusing some MPs of stalling the reform process. “All people should participate in a peaceful demonstration.”
Sadr called recent peaceful demonstrations in the country’s capital “historical” and urged for a large turnout on Monday.
“Your readiness for a demonstration of a million on Monday will frighten the authorities and oblige them to hold a parliamentary session to vote [the new cabinet] freely and transparently,” he said.
Imad Khafaji, Spokesman for Iraqi Parliament’s Speaker Salim al-Jabouri, said on Sunday (April 24) that parliament would hold a session on at 1 pm on Tuesday (April 26) to discuss reform and new cabinet reshuffle.
Jabouri ordered the suspension of the assembly on April 22 due to ongoing political disputes in over government reforms and a cabinet shakeup.
Leaders in Iraq and Coalition countries have warned that political disputes among blocs threaten the effort to advance against Islamic State militants.
(NRT)
