Baghdad
Hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators, mostly supporters of Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, on Saturday, stormed the heavily fortified parliament building in Baghdad for the second time to protest against the nomination for Prime Minister by rival Iran-backed parties.
Demonstrators waved Iraqi flags and portraits of al-Sadr, chanted, and sat down in the legislative chamber, with no lawmakers present.
Thousands of protesters also gathered outside the parliament building, with security forces use of tear gas, water cannons and sound grenades failing to disperse them. Protesters also disassembled large concrete barriers surrounding the heavily-fortified area.
The unrest comes just days after hundreds of protestprs on Wednesday burst into heavily fortified Green Zone in the centre of the Iraqi capital, dancing, singing, posing for selfies and eventually peacefully dispersing, reported to source.
The Wednesday protests began after competing political factions failed to agree on the formation of a new government.
Hundreds of protesters had descended on Iraq’s parliament building on Saturday, putting on a repeat performance of Wednesday’s unrest.
The protesters were opposing the candidacy of Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for the post of Prime Minister, as they believe him to be too close to Iran. al-Sudani is a former minister and ex-provincial governor and is nominated for the prime minister’s post on behalf of the Coordination Framework.
Visuals from the site showed protestors singing and dancing and one person was seen lying on the desk of the speaker of the Iraqi parliament. No lawmakers were present and only security forces were inside the building as protestors barged in, reported to sources.
