Iraq’s Salih calls for national dialog, deplores attacks on protesters, security forces

Iraq’s President Barham Salih has condemned as “unacceptable’’ the recent acts of violence targeting protesters, journalists and security forces amid a spate of unrest gripping the Arab country, warning against foreign attempts to fish in troubled waters.

“The targeting of peaceful demonstrators and security forces with live bullets, and the targeting of media and media workers is unacceptable in Iraq, which we have pledged to be a democratic, in which rights and freedoms are respected, and where all abide by the Constitution,” Saleh said during a televised speech on Monday.

A wave of protests began in Baghdad and some other cities a week ago, with the participants calling for better living conditions and more government efforts to end the nation’s economic woes less than two years after the country declared victory over the Takfiri Daesh terror group.

The initially peaceful protests, however, turned ugly after armed elements and violent rioters entered the scene, starting to vandalize public property and attempting to enter the Green Zone in Baghdad — which houses government offices and foreign diplomatic missions.

The rioters also attempted to take over local TV stations in the capital Baghdad over the weekend after the government removed a days-long curfew.

On Sunday, the Interior Ministry said 104 people, including eight security officers, had been killed and more than 6,000 people wounded in the mayhem.

Iraqi officials say there are “malicious hands” and “infiltrators” behind the killing of both protesters and security forces during the unrest.

PressTV-Iraq: All evidence points to 'malicious hands' in unrest

Officials in Baghdad blame "malicious hands" for the killing of both protesters and security forces during the latest bout of unrest that gripped the capital and some other cities. 

Salih went on to say that Iraqi people have the right to hold peaceful rallies, urging security forces to preserve the rights of all Iraqis.

He asked the protesters “to join a constructive and genuine dialog within the national framework that guarantees informing the people about the steps of reform, and holding direct and daily meetings with our youth in all cities.”

The Iraqi leader further called for restraint and de-escalation in order to prevent non-Iraqis from interfering in the national dialog, proposing a government reshuffle and a review of the electoral law that meets the Iraqi people’s “national ambitions.”

Salih expressed support for a “fundamental ministerial reshuffle,” while announcing a series of measures to combat corruption and provide better job opportunities and services — a key demand of the protesters.

The president urged the parliament to enact reforms, including electoral reform, to address the demands of demonstrators.

Salih also reiterated that an inquiry will be launched into the deadly violence “in order to prevent the use of excessive force and to follow the rules of engagement.”

The president assured the nation that “the right to protest and freedom of expression are guaranteed by the Iraqi Constitution.”

On Sunday, the Iraqi government announced a series of reforms after an “extraordinary” session overnight in response to the sweeping unrest.

Confronted by its biggest challenge since coming to power just under a year ago, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi’s cabinet also issued a decree including 17 planned reforms, such as land distributions and increased welfare stipends for needy families.

Authorities have asked protesters to give them time to implement the reforms.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s top Shia cleric, has urged both security forces and protesters to avoid violence.

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