Iraqis protest against widespread corruption

Tens of thousands of Iraqis held demonstrations in major cities Friday to protest against widespread corruption and call for reforms.

According to Press TV, around 200,000 people gathered around the Green Zone in the center of the capital, Baghdad.

Most of the demonstrators were followers of Muqtada al-Sadr, an influential Shia religious scholar who has organized similar protests over the past weeks.

Sadr, who appeared among the demonstrators in Baghdad, said in a speech that the Iraqis will not tolerate corrupt elements inside the government, calling on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to address cases of mismanagement in his administration.

Reports said security forces had earlier blocked the main routes leading to the Green Zone, a highly fortified area which houses Iraq's cabinet, parliament and other government offices.

Similar protests were held in the cities of Karbala and Basra. Protesters chanted slogans against some government officials.

SS