Hundreds of Iraqis protest corruption, poor services
By DPA, IANSTuesday, February 15, 2011
BAGHDAD - Hundreds of Iraqis protested Tuesday against corruption, poor services and arbitrary arrests.
The demonstrations took place in Fallujah, 60 kilometres west of Baghdad, and the northern city of Kirkuk.
Protesters carried placards reading: “No to arbitrary arrests”, “Where are the services?” and “No to corruption”.
There have been a series of such protests across Iraq, prompting Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to cut his salary in half to help “reduce the gap in the living standards for the different classes”.
On Feb 25, a major rally called “Revolution of Iraqi Rage” is scheduled to be held in Baghdad.
Some activists have called for the overthrow of the government, which was formed in December after nine months of political stalemate.
The political unrest in Egypt, Yemen, and Algeria has led to Iraqis taking to the streets, calling for more employment opportunities, reform , and democracy.
