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Iraqi blocs sign a document reforms give the government and parliament 45 days


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State Department: Iraq and Lebanon deserve to make their way away from Tehran's interventions

Political | 09:44 - 06/11/2019

 
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BAGHDAD - Mawazine News 

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Iraqi and Lebanese people want to restore their countries from the Iranian regime.

Pompeo said in a tweet through his platform "Twitter" that "the Iraqi and Lebanese people want to restore their countries," noting that "they discover that the Iranian regime exports them badly covered with corruption called the revolution."

He pointed out that "Iraq and Lebanon deserve to make their way away from the interventions of Khamenei."

is over

MHN

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Washington calls for the implementation of the demands of the demonstrators urgently and condemns the violence

Political | 11:31 - 06/11/2019

 
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The United States demanded on Wednesday the Iraqi government and political leaders to seriously interact with the demands of the citizens demanding reform, deploring the violence that has affected protests.
"The United States is always interested in supporting a secure, prosperous and capable Iraq that can defend its people against violent extremist groups and deter those who undermine its sovereignty and democracy," the US embassy in Baghdad said in a statement.
The statement added that "as the world follows the development of events in Iraq, it is clear that the Iraqi government and political leaders to urgently and seriously interact with the Iraqi citizens demanding reform, there is no future for Iraq to suppress the will of its people."
"The killing and abduction of unarmed protesters, the threat of freedom of expression and the cycle of violence," the statement said.

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A deputy reveals a directive to put charges against demonstrators and publish fabricated photos and videos

Political | 12:14 - 06/11/2019

 
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BAGHDAD - Mawazine News
, a deputy in the parliament, on Wednesday, a directive to put charges against the demonstrators and the publication of pictures and fabricated videos to abuse them.
"The government should silence Adel Abdul-Mahdi's spokesman as being ridiculous," said the MP for the "Sairoun" bloc, adding that "governments resort to warning or intimidation, but in the case of the current Iraqi government, it makes people laugh and talk to Iraqis as if they are not educated." ".
He explained, "There is a directive to put charges against the demonstrators, and the publication of videos and fabricated images on social networking sites to abuse them, but the government was delayed as people are inhale a new home from these demonstrations."
He pointed out that "this propaganda machine may be used as a cover to justify violence and repression in the coming days," advising the demonstrators "the importance of putting surveillance cameras in anticipation of treachery or scheming."

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In the presence of Barham Saleh .. Patriotic Kurdistan held a meeting to discuss the position of the dismissal of the government

Political | 12:44 - 06/11/2019

 
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The political bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to hold a meeting in the city of Sulaimaniya , began to discuss the current situation in taking place in different parts of Iraq 
, said a source familiar with during the person told him ( the balance of News) that " the political bureau of the meeting of the National Union began shortly before , headed by First Deputy Secretary-General of the party Kosirt Messenger and the presence of President Barham Saleh to discuss the situation of Iraq and the crisis of demonstrations.

He added: "Saleh will present to the leadership of the National Union the most prominent demands of the demonstrators in Baghdad and the southern provinces on the dismissal of the government and amend the Constitution and early elections and the position of the National Union."

The President of the Republic Barham Saleh attended another meeting of the three presidencies in the Kurdistan region held in the city of Erbil to discuss the situation of demonstrations and the attitude of the early elections and the dismissal of the government. 

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Sadrists: If the government is crazy will break sit-ins by force

Political | 12:17 - 06/11/2019

 
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BAGHDAD - Mawazine News
saw the Sadrist movement, Wednesday, if the government crazy will break sit-ins by force.
"If this government is crazy, it will break up the sit-ins by force, because many victims will fall and the matter will be further complicated," said Mohammed al-Darraji, a member of the movement.
Darraji, a member of the current in Karbala, said that "the leader of the movement Muqtada al-Sadr ordered to provide protection for the demonstrators and we will do so."

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Rebels ignore Abdul Mahdi and Pompeo affirms the right of Iraqis to restore their country from Iran

 Wednesday 06 November 2019
 
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Baghdad - Writings

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi continued to defy the Iraqis and their revolution, stressing that he did not respond to their demands.

Abdul Mahdi said his government would not respond to the demands of the demonstrators and resign without a "smooth and swift" alternative.

Abdul-Mahdi criticized the demonstrations and the popular movement in most of the country's provinces, pointing out that the demonstrations seek to address the accumulations by 2003 and so far; as if he is responsible for the deteriorating situation in Iraq from himself.

This is what the demonstrators in Tahrir Square responded by continuing their presence on the ground, stressing that Abdul-Mahdi does not represent them and does not concern them with statements or words.

On the other hand, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in remarks on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, that the Iraqi people want to restore their country from Iranian interference.

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

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Continued government killing machine against the rebels of Baghdad .. Students support the revolution graffiti

 Wednesday 06 November 2019
 
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Baghdad - Writings

Despite the oppression and the unending cessation of the killing machine, the resolve of the rebels on the ground is increasingly certain that the peaceful confrontation of the Iraqi government and the deputies who work for the benefit of Iran and its militias must continue.

Video circulation on Wednesday, November 6, 2019, from the heart of Tahrir Square, showed aesthetic manifestations that demonstrated the keenness of students to support the revolutionaries and demonstrators with their works of art 'graffiti' that perpetuates the fight against corruption and the killing of art as an option that reflects the peaceful movement and revolution.

As government security forces continued to fire live bullets to disperse demonstrators between the bridges of "martyrs" and "free" in the center of Baghdad on Wednesday.

This resulted in at least 20 rebel casualties between a wounded and a martyr in Al-Rasheed Street and on Al-Shuhada 'Bridge as a result of heavy gunfire and choking bombs on the rebels.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Iraq and the Rafidain Bank were closed in conjunction with government forces firing live bullets at demonstrators in Hafez al-Qadi square in Baghdad.

 

 

 

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06-11-2019 01:59 PM
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Baghdad / News:
Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammed Halbousi, on Wednesday, the initiative of comprehensive national dialogue with the participation of the United Nations and representatives of the demonstrators to formulate a comprehensive political project.
Halbousi said in a statement received by "news" that "Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammed Halbousi received today Jenin Blachart representative of the United Nations in Iraq."
The statement added that "Halbousi reviewed during the meeting the latest political developments in the country and the legitimate demands of the demonstrators and the urgent measures taken to develop a roadmap for the radical reforms of the political process in the country, including constitutional amendments and the directions of the Interim Committee formed by the House of Representatives, which decided to be a permanent meeting and expansion Its work invites constitutional law experts and all segments of Iraqi society and representatives of the demonstrators to participate in the amendments.
He explained that "the President of the House of Representatives discussed with the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations initiative of the comprehensive national dialogue, which will participate all presidencies and leaders of political blocs and the spectrum of Iraqi society, judges, unions and trade unions and representatives of the demonstrators with the participation of the United Nations and representatives of the countries in Iraq, and a dignified life for the Iraqi people , " the
statement noted that" Blasjarat expressed the readiness of the United Nations to provide assistance at all levels to achieve the objectives of this dialogue and be a guarantor guarantor of its results and stand at the same distance from everyone to achieve the aspirations of the Iraqi people and To maintain the stability and security of Iraq and its national unity, stressing the need to ensure freedom of expression within the framework of democratic practices and the rule of law and to prevent all forms of violations and protect public and private property. "
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Iraqi government issues new reform package

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 2019/11/06 01:46:09

 

The Council of Ministers held its regular session on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, and the presence of conservative gentlemen.

A government statement issued today by the Prime Minister presented his vision of the options presented through the demands of the demonstrators in a speech, which will be presented later.   

The Council of Ministers issued a number of decisions, including the issuance of a new reform package that includes requests to respond to the demands of the demonstrators.The Council also decided to grant the Minister of Oil the power to approve the appointment of graduates of oil training institutes for 2018-2019 2020.

With regard to industrial projects, the Council of Ministers agreed to reduce the customs duty for plastic granules to the extent (for industrial projects registered with the Directorate General of Industrial Development or projects registered with the Federation of Iraqi Industries or registered according to), and the bodies that grant the above approvals to provide the ministries of Finance / General Authority for Taxes, Labor and Social Affairs).

The Council decided to approve the lifting of the words (for the purpose of working as a social researcher to ensure the speed and accuracy of the completion) of paragraph (2) of the Council of Ministers Resolution (363 of 2019) and added to paragraph (3 / b) to become in the following form granting the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs the power to contract with (1000) for the purpose of working as a social researcher to ensure the speed and accuracy of achievement, through the inclusion of a text in the draft federal budget law for the fiscal year / 2020

In the field of investment, the Cabinet approved the following:

Authorization of the Chairman of the National Investment Authority Mr. (Sami Araji) the power to sign the United Nations Convention on international settlement agreements emanating from the mediation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall prepare the necessary authorization document on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Iraq for the President of the National Investment Commission in accordance with the approved contexts.

The Council approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for Social Services to approve the adoption of Maja in the document of standards of urban and rural housing in Iraq

Approval of the recommendation of the joint meeting of the Audit Committee and the approval of contracts for the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Municipalities, Mr. Governor of Babylon, the executive body of the Babylon sewer project, the Analysis Committee and the Tender Opening Committee

The cabinet approved the bill for the Iraqi Olympic Committee and referred it to the House of Representatives.

The Council approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council on Energy to include the sectors of the Ministry of Electricity and the authority to implement projects for the electricity system on the lands belonging to the government authorities after obtaining the initial approval from the owner and the parties directly concerned duly and before completing the procedures of privatization or transfer of ownership, provided that the concerns are clear and do not enter obligations Contractual assignment or transfer of land.

The Council of Ministers also approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for Social Services on reducing the percentage of the public treasury from the profits of Ibn Al-Rushd State Company for previous years to cover the deficit in the salaries paid.

https://www.shafaaq.com/ar/سیاسة/الحكومة-العراقية-تصدر-حزمة-اصلاحات-جديدة/

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The UN offers to be a guarantor between the government, parliament and demonstrators

 

 2019/11/06 04:45:56

 

The United Nations representative in Iraq, Jenin Bleskhart, expressed on Wednesday the readiness of the United Nations to be a guarantor of a comprehensive dialogue in Iraq to get him out of the crisis in the wake of protests.

A statement issued by the Office of the President of the Iraqi Council of Representatives Mohammed Halbousi that the latter reviewed during the meeting the latest political developments in the country and the legitimate demands of the demonstrators and the urgent measures taken to develop a road map for radical reforms of the political process in the country, including constitutional amendments and the directions of the Interim Committee formed by the House of Representatives Which decided to be held permanently and expand its work by inviting constitutional law experts and all segments of Iraqi society and representatives of the demonstrators to participate in the amendments.

The statement added that Halbousi discussed with the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations comprehensive national dialogue initiative, which will be attended by all presidencies and leaders of political blocs and the spectrum of Iraqi society, judges, unions and trade unions and representatives of the demonstrators with the participation of the United Nations and representatives of countries accredited in Iraq, To the Iraqi people.

For its part, Balshakhrat expressed the readiness of the United Nations to provide assistance at all levels to achieve the objectives of this dialogue and to be a guarantor of its results and stand at the same distance from all to achieve the aspirations of the Iraqi people and maintain the stability, security and national unity of Iraq, stressing the need to ensure freedom of expression within the framework of Democratic practices and the rule of law, prevention of all forms of violations and protection of public and private property.

The capital Baghdad and the central and southern Euphrates provinces are witnessing demonstrations launched since early October and resumed again on 25 of the same month in protest against the deterioration of living and service conditions, the spread of unemployment, and financial and administrative corruption in the state institutions and departments.

Demands have risen to topple the government and parliament, and the removal of all parties involved in the political process since 2003, until now after violence and repression of protesters, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured.

Protesters in several predominantly Shiite cities, including the capital Baghdad, have launched a general strike by cutting off vital roads and government departments in a move to increase pressure on the judiciary, legislative and executive authorities and political parties and ruling powers to implement the demands of the demonstrators.

https://www.shafaaq.com/ar/سیاسة/الامم-المتحدة-تعرض-ان-تكون-كفيلا-ضامنا-بين-الحكومة-والبرلمان-والمتظاهرين/

Edited by Butifldrm
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America issues a strong stance to the Iraqi government and political leaders on the protests

 

 2019/11/06 00:54:41

 

The United States government on Wednesday called on the federal government and Iraqi political leaders to "react urgently" and "seriously" to the demands of citizens demanding reform, condemning the killing and kidnapping of unarmed protesters.

The US government issued a statement on the ongoing violence in Iraq, saying that "the United States is always interested in supporting a secure, prosperous and capable Iraq that can defend its people against violent extremist groups and deter those who undermine its sovereignty and democracy."

The statement added that "as the world follows the development of events in Iraq, it is clear that the Iraqi government and political leaders to urgently and seriously interact with the Iraqi citizens demanding reform, there is no future for Iraq to suppress the will of its people."

The statement condemned "the killing and abduction of unarmed protesters and the threat of freedom of expression and the cycle of violence," noting that "Iraqis must be free to make their own decisions about the future of their country."

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: "The Iraqi and Lebanese people want their countries back. They discover that the Iranian regime's highest exports are corruption, disguised as a revolution."

"Both Iraq and Lebanon deserve to run their own affairs without Khamenei's interference," he said.

The capital Baghdad and the central and southern Euphrates provinces are witnessing demonstrations launched since early October and resumed again on 25 of the same month in protest against the deterioration of living and service conditions, the spread of unemployment, and financial and administrative corruption in the state institutions and departments.

Demands have risen to topple the government and parliament, and the removal of all parties involved in the political process since 2003, until now after violence and repression of protesters, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured.

Protesters in several predominantly Shiite cities, including the capital Baghdad, have launched a general strike by cutting off vital roads and government departments in a move to increase pressure on the judiciary, legislative and executive authorities and political parties and ruling powers to implement the demands of the demonstrators.

https://www.shafaaq.com/ar/سیاسة/أمريكا-تصدر-موقفا-شديد-اللهجة-للحكومة-والقادة-السياسيين-العراقيين-بشأن-الاحتجاجات/

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2019/11/06 12:28
  • The number of readings 238
  • Section: Iraq
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News of the killing of two employees of the Central Bank

BAGHDAD / Al-Masalla: Two employees of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) were killed and another injured in the Rafidain Bank during the dispersal of security forces for a demonstration in Baghdad, a security source said on Wednesday.

The source said in a statement on November 6, 2019 that two employees of the Central Bank were shot and lost their lives as they left the building from the side of the river, where riot police and security forces were trying to disperse the demonstrators by shooting live.

He said the bullets killed an employee and her colleague working in the Central Bank, and wounded an employee working in the Rafidain Bank.

The Obelisk

 

http://almasalah.com/ar/news/181728/أنباء-عن-مقتل-موظفين-اثنين-من-البنك-المركزي

 
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Kurdish forces have formed a united front in the federal parliament to support "the government and meet the demands of the demonstrators," said PUK member Ghiath Sorji on Wednesday, stressing that a single Kurdish vision does not mean pressuring Baghdad for gains.

Surji said in an interview with Alsumaria News, "The Kurdish forces in the Kurdistan region agreed to form a united front in the federal parliament in order to support the government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and achieve the legitimate demands of the demonstrators."
 
 

"Any events that happen in Baghdad and other provinces will have a negative impact on the region, which makes us look for realistic solutions to contain the crisis and get out of it satisfactorily for all," he said. "There is still a state of conflict and tensions that need wisdom to unite in the face of any problem or issue that may widen towards the region."

He stressed that "the existence of a single vision of Kurdistan does not mean pressure on Baghdad to get gains, but it will work to support the government and the legitimate demands of the masses."
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Source:
 
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Demonstrations in Baghdad and the Iraqi provinces are beginning to reflect many readings in the world. .

The newspaper pointed out that the demands of the demonstrators to get rid of corruption, and put an end to political parties, and the establishment of a presidential system instead of the parliamentary system is reasonable but impossible to achieve, without bloodshed.

According to the newspaper, it may be difficult to achieve this because the demonstrators are increasingly demanding immediate results, as if they want to see lawmakers and ministers pack their bags, get rid of their distinctive palaces in the Green Zone and disappear completely. She said politicians wishing to work with protesters knew that the fundamental changes they were demanding, such as new election laws and a new constitution, could not be achieved overnight. Yet the political class style frustrates protesters who are impatient to see the changes begin now.
 
 
President Barham Saleh is trying to take steps in this direction by introducing legislation that would eliminate the current system of party lists and allow voters to vote for individual candidates. But in essence, it asks parliament to adopt a system that costs many of its members seats.

"It remains unclear how long the demonstrators will stay on the streets," the paper said in a vague report on the general situation and what to predict about the next few days.
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Baghdad operations chief denies any shooting near the central bank  2019-11-06

Baghdad operations chief denies any shooting near the central bank

 

Alsumaria News
 

Baghdad operations chief Lieutenant General Qais al-Mohammadawi denied Wednesday any shooting near the central bank.

 

Al-Mohammadawi said in an interview with Alsumaria News, "The news that circulated about the existence of gunfire near the central bank building in Al-Rasheed Street in central Baghdad , is untrue."
 
"Demonstrators tried to cross the Martyrs Bridge and were dispersed," he said.
 
A security source said on Wednesday that security forces were trying to disperse demonstrators between the bridges of the martyrs and al-Ahrar in central Baghdad .

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Kurdistan needs friends in Baghdad: British Consul General

4 hours ago  |  143 Views
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British Consul General to Erbil James Thornton on Rudaw's Hevpeyvin (interview) show, recorded October 29, 2019. Photo: Rudaw 

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Region must forge and maintain a strong relationship with the Iraqi federal government to reach “durable agreements” over outstanding issues with Baghdad, British Consul General to Erbil James Thornton has told Rudaw.

“Clearly you need good relations with the neighbours … it particularly needs friends in the south [of Iraq], so a strong relationship with Baghdad is definitely in the KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq] ’s interests,” Thornton said on Rudaw TV’s Hevpeyvin (interview) show, recorded October 29.

Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have been at loggerheads over issues including independent Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) oil sales, Baghdad’s cut of the Region’s federal budget share, and the status of disputed territories – especially Kirkuk – for years. 

Relations have improved under the administration of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. However, nationwide unrest has led Iraq’s premier to say he will resign from his role once a replacement for him is found. 

As such, there is a short window of opportunity for the KRG to “finalize a deal” and form “durable agreements” with the Prime Minister before he is replaced, including on the budget share. 

“In general terms, there needs to be a strong understanding with the federal capital,”posited Thornton, who was appointed as Consul General in July of this year. 

Abdul-Mahdi’s apparent will to resign office comes in response to protests that have rocked Iraq’s central and southern cities for over a month. 

Initially taking to the streets in discontent over corruption, lack of services, unemployment and corruption, protests evolved to include demands for the overthrow of government and constitutional amendments. 

Security forces have responded to protests with lethal force, including the use of live ammunition rounds and military-grade tear gas. Over 250 protestors have died since protests began on October 1, 2019.

In an attempt to placate frustrated Iraqis, Abdul-Mahdi proposed his early exit from the role, a series of socio-economic reforms, and changes to Iraq’s 2005 constitution.

The prospect of constitutional amendment has worried some Kurds, who believe the 2005 constitution exacted some progress for Kurdish rights in the country in the aftermath of Baathist rule. 

President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani hosted Kurdish party leaders and Iraqi president Barham Salih for talks on Tuesday to establish a unified position to challenge potentially adverse constitutional amendments.

The Consul General agreed Kurdish concerns would need to be addressed before any constitutional change is implemented.

“There is a balance within Iraq. Kurdistan Region has a set of institutions which is guaranteed under the current constitution, and there are all sorts of other arrangements guaranteeing democracy,” argued Thornton.

“Any changes to that balance need to be properly thought through and agreed by Iraq as a whole, including the Kurdistan Region.” 

Good relations are also necessary so that Baghdad and Erbil are best able to carry out joint security operations in the disputed territories to snuff out remnants of Islamic State (ISIS), in line with currently dormant security agreements between the two governments. 

When ISIS advanced on Iraq's disputed territories in 2014, the Iraqi Army retreated and the Kurdish Peshmerga moved in - causing the virtual collapse of a prior joint security agreement.

In response to the Kurdistan Region's September 25 2017 independence referendum, Iraq's army, federal police, and other security forces led an offensive to retake Kirkuk and other contested areas, leading to a Peshmerga withdrawal.

Iraqi forces currently control most of the disputed territories. However, clashes between the Peshmerga and federal forces resulted in the demarcation of a no-man's land between the territories they respectively controlled. Security vacuums vulnerable to ISIS activity are now found in areas where no military force control is present.

Kurdish leadership have previously called for the re-activation of the joint security mechanism, but has yet to reach an agreement with Baghdad. 

While pleased former ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi no longer poses a threat after his death in a US special forces-led raid in northwest Syria last month, Thornton remained wary of a resurgence of the group in Iraq. 

“The risk is that Daesh [ISIS] is just waiting and in the right time will increase its activity. They are particularly present in the disputed territories, and that is of great concern to us,” the Consul General said.

“So the joint security mechanism, which has been existence for many years now, needs to be reactivated, and those joint operations need to happen,” he asserted.

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President Barham Saleh is trying to take steps in this direction by introducing legislation that would eliminate the current system of party lists and allow voters to vote for individual candidates. But in essence, it asks parliament to adopt a system that costs many of its members seats.

 

 

The last president didn't do or say much, in retrospect. 

 

This guy's out there trying to shake it up, at least. 

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3 hours ago, yota691 said:

The scene of the Iranian consulate in the city of Karbala, south of Baghdad, on Monday, violent clashes between demonstrators who tried to storm the consulate and Iraqi security forces, resulting in three deaths and a number of wounded.

Finally I think Iraqis have figured out what Iran stands for and are now ready to give there lives to stop it. 

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US warns Baghdad against suppression of determined Iraqi protesters

6 hours ago  |  317 Views 1 Comments
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US Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller speaks to reporters at the Erbil Citadel on November 6, 2019. Photo: social media 

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The US Ambassador to Iraq warned Wednesday of indiscriminate killings, kidnappings and protester disappearances at demonstrations, expressing doubt about the level of Iraqi government control of violence as the country remains subsumed in unrest.

After a week of anti-government protests in early October subsided as Iraqis observed the Shiite religious ceremony of Arbaeen , a second, even more fervent wave of protest engulfed Iraq’s south and centre from October 25.

Security forces have responded to protest with the firing of live ammunition rounds and military-grade tear gas canisters, to deadly effect. Over 250 people have been killed since protests began on October 1; 13 people were reported killed on Tuesday alone.

Ambassador to Iraq Matthew H. Tueller was asked to explain US policy with regards to ongoing protests while speaking at a Middle East Research Institute (MERI) panel event in Erbil on Wednesday.

“We have … repeatedly stressed how important it is that in responding to this type of protest that the government respect international norms of human rights,” the ambassador said to an audience of diplomats, aid workers and Iraqi and Kurdish politicians. “In terms of indiscriminate killings, kidnappings, some of the things that deeply, deeply concerned Iraqis themselves in the first wave of protest and even now in the second wave of protest, we see really unacceptable levels of deaths.”

Tueller expressed doubt as to whether or not the Iraqi government is in full charge of the situation.

 “…increasingly, I do sense there are some activities going on that aren’t under full control of the government or anybody else but some protest leaders, figures, activists who are disappearing or are receiving intimidation, extortion.” 

Among the unknown number of missing is Saba al-Mahdawi, a medic and well-known activist who disappeared on her way back from a protest in Baghdad on Saturday night.

With the second wave of anti-government protest showing no sign of abetting, the US embassy in Baghdad on Wednesday urged the Iraqi government in strong terms to engage seriously and urgently with Iraqi citizens demanding reform.

 "We deplore the killing and kidnapping of unarmed protesters, threat to freedom of expression, and the cycle of violence taking place," the embassy said in a statement on its website. “There is no path forward based on suppression of the will of the Iraqi people.”

UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) report based on 198 interviews held Iraqi security forces responsible for serious human rights abuses during the second wave of the protests.

"The preliminary findings indicate that numerous human rights violations and abuses were committed, including the use of lethal force against demonstrators, the unnecessary, disproportionate and/or improper use of tear gas and stun grenades, continued efforts to limit media coverage of demonstrations, abductions and multiple arrests," the report by UNAMI’s Human Rights Office said on Tuesday. 

Seen as a reformer before the protests began, Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi has come under serious criticism for the ruthless manner in which his security forces have handled protest.

The government has taken some half-measuresto quell the protests, pledging to end corruption, deliver more job opportunities, and provide welfare support to Iraqi society’s poorest. Abdul-Mahdi announced a new “package” of unspecified reforms on Tuesday, and a measure to hire  academic year 2018-19 graduates of oil training institutes at the Ministry of Oil.

While Kurdish areas in the north of the country have not hit by the protests, the Kurdish parties have convened in Erbil on Tuesday to negotiate a united stance. President Nechirvan Barzani said the Kurds would do everything in their power to play a positive role, but added he believed blaming Prime Minister Abdul- Mahdi for the ills of the country is unfair.

"We have to bear in mind that… the Prime Minister is not responsible for the bad situation gripping the country,” Barzani said during a Tuesday session of the MERI conference.  “Rather, the whole political system of Iraq is responsible, from 2003 to date." 

Protester calls for the improvement of the services and tackling of corruption have morphed into demands for government resignation and an end to foreign influence in the country. They have leveled particular blame at Iran, calling for an end to the country’s influence on Iraqi politics. However, officials in Tehran have said that while the protesters have some legitimate concerns, demand for change could make Iraq fertile ground for US and Israeli interference. 

Iran denied claims Iranian-backed Shia militias or Iranian advisers were behind the killing of protesters. It also denied a visit was made by General Qassim Soleimani of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) elite Quds Force had been in Baghdad to discuss quelling of the protests, as had been reported by AP and Reuters.

In spite of Iranian denial, the US government claims Tehran has played a role in the suppression of protest, and views unrest in both Iraq and Lebanon as an outcry against Iranian meddling in their affairs.

 President Donald Trump retweeted a video of the burning of the Iranian consulate in the city of Karbala on November 3, while Secretary of State Mike Pompeo took to Twitter to blame Iran for the violence that has engulfed both countries.

“The Iraqi and Lebanese people want their countries back. They are discovering that the Iranian regime's top export is corruption, badly disguised as revolution. Iraq and Lebanon deserve to set their own courses free from @khamenei_ir's meddling," Pompeo tweeted in the early hours of Wednesday. morning.

As protesters seek the end of foreign interference in Iraqi affairs, Tueller warned heavy-handed government response could dent international support for Iraq’s continuing post-war reconstruction. 

“…this is the type of thing that particularly for Iraq as it continues now through the 16th year challenge of moving out of a post conflict society into the type of prosperous , stable state that Iraqis themselves want , it is exactly the wrong direction to go,” Ambassador Tueller told the audience in the Kurdish city of Erbil.

“Not only will it lose the critical international support upon which Iraq relies but frankly I think it also threatens the legitimacy and the connection that must exist between the people and the government particularly people that have endured so much…”

 

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