Grand Ayatollah Sistani calls on police, protesters to keep demonstrations peaceful

Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Sistani has called on protesters and security forces to keep anti-government demonstrations peaceful, amid reports of numerous casualties in recent clashes between the two sides.

"Real reform and change in the country has to be through peaceful methods," Ayatollah Sistani said in a message delivered by his representative during a sermon in the holy city of Karbala.

The top religious authority in Iraq said that security forces must not allow attacks on public and private property, must ensure the safety of the rallies, and stay away from violence.

He also urged the demonstrators to avoid vandalizing the public properties, describing any act of vandalism as “illegal and illegitimate.”

The representative quoted the Grand Ayatollah as saying that protesters should be aware of infiltration of suspicious elements, trying to exploit the rightful demands of protesters.

He also said that true reform is only possible through unity and cooperation.

The fresh demonstrations come after Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi pledged more reforms aimed at improving economy. The premier said people are free to exercise their right to demonstrate, but violence would not be tolerated.

Addressing the nation on Thursday night, Abdul-Mahdi said people had the right to call for the government to resign.

However, a collapse of the government, as some protesters have suggested, won't help improve the situation in the Arab country, he said.

"The resignation of the government today without a constitutional alternative will lead the country into chaos," he said.

SS