Monday, April 16, 2007
Thousands demonstrate in Basrah against governor
Security
(RFE/RL) - Thousands of Iraqis have marched peacefully through the streets of the southern city of Al-Basrah to demand the resignation of a provincial governor. Residents have complained of inadequate electricity, garbage disposal, and water supplies. Demonstrators gathered near an Al-Basrah mosque, then marched to the governor's office, which was surrounded by Iraqi soldiers and police. Protesters are now calling for a three-day sit-in in front of the governor's office starting April 17.
COMMENT: An official of the Sadrist Movement denied that the bloc called for demonstrations in Basra or any other province. Speaking during an Iraqi Parliament session on Sunday, Nassar al-Rubaie, the bloc's spokesman, said the Sadrist bloc had nothing to do with any demonstrations in Basra and has never urged the masses to stage a demonstration in any area of Iraq. A statement on Saturday, signed by popular leaders in Basra, called on citizens to demonstrate and demanded the relief of Basra Governor Mohammed Mosbeh al-Waeli, who in turn accused these popular figures of acting in accordance with a foreign agenda and seeking chaos in Basra. The statement, which was received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI), read "if these demands (to sack the governor of Basra) are not met, escalatory measures will be taken." COMMENT ENDS.
Labels: Basrah, demonstration, provincial governor
