Friday, June 01, 2007
Allawi supporters demonstrate across Iraq
Politics
(RFE/RL) - Thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi demonstrated in the cities of Baghdad, Al-Basrah, Mosul, and Karbala on May 29 to protest allegations that Allawi is plotting to overthrow the Iraqi government, the London-based "Al-Sharq al-Awsat" reported on May 30. Critics of Allawi alleged that his foreign and regional tour was aimed at drumming up support for his return to power. The demonstrators reportedly called on Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to resign.
A statement released by Allawi's office said the government's "conspiracy theory paranoia" has prevented it from effecting change on the ground, the daily reported. Meanwhile, Iraqis List parliamentarian Mahdi al-Hafiz said on May 29 that he will withdraw from the list, led by Allawi, citing a lack of transparency in the list's political work, "Al-Mashriq" reported on May 30. Ayham al-Samarra'i, who served as electricity minister in Allawi's interim government, told Al-Jazeera on May 27 that Allawi has won Arab states' support for his political vision, adding that while Iraq's neighbors "do not want a coup in Iraq, they want to see Iraq succeed."
Labels: Ayham al-Samarra'i, Baghdad, Basrah, Iraqi List, Iyad Allawi, Karbala, Mahdi al-Hafiz, Mosul
