Iraq’s Prime Minister Orders to Arrest of Parliament Protesters

Systemic political patronage has aided corruption in Iraq, depleting the government’s resources as it struggles to cope with declining oil revenue and the cost of the war against the jihadist group Islamic State (IS).

A state of emergency was declared in Baghdad after the protests.

Supporters of Mr Sadr want Mr Abadi to press ahead with plans to replace ministers with political affiliations with non-partisan technocrats.

Powerful parties in parliament have refused to approve the change for several weeks.

Haider al-Abadi said those who caused damage and attacked police should be brought to justice.

Supporters of cleric Moqtada Sadr broke through barricades of the fortified Green Zone in protest against delays in approving a new cabinet.

Iraq’s Prime Minister has ordered the arrest of Shia Muslim activists who stormed Parliament in Baghdad on Saturday.