Iraqi PM receives phone call from Pompeo over unrest
Death toll in protests in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities rose to 104 with more than 6,000 people wounded, including security members
BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi received a phone call from the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday over ongoing protests in Iraq, confirming that life returned to normal in the country.
A statement by Abdul Mahdi’s media office said that he reviewed developments on the security situation and the return of normal life after the Iraqi authorities lifted the curfew and the security forces restored stability in the country.
In response to the demands of the protesters, Abdul Mahdi confirmed that his government “presented a package of reforms” and will continue taking measure within the coming days, the statement said.
For his part, Pompeo said that he trusts the Iraqi security forces, confirming the U.S. support to Iraq and the efforts of its government in strengthening security and stability in the country, the statement added. The telephone call came amid spiralling anti-government protests in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities that started Tuesday over corruption, rampant unemployment, poor public services and deteriorating living standards.
The Iraqi authorities said earlier that it has approved a package of reforms, including building thousands of subsidized housing units for the poor people, stipends for the unemployed and training programs and loan initiatives for youth. Death toll in protests in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities rose to 104 with more than 6,000 people wounded, including security members, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said Sunday.
In a press conference, spokesman for the ministry Saad Maan said the death toll has risen to 104 people, including eight security members. A total of 6,107 people were wounded in the violence that accompanied the demonstrations, among them 1,241 security members, Maan said, adding 52 vehicles of civilians and security entities were destroyed in the violent events.
Unidentified gunmen on Sunday attacked offices of local and foreign media establishments, including NRT, Dijlah and the office of Saudi-based al-Arabiya TV and al-Hadath TV, the spokesman said, adding investigations on the attacks are ongoing.
Eight offices of political parties were set ablaze by angry protesters, he confirmed, while two security checkpoints were also burnt.
Protests erupted in the capital Baghdad and several provinces across Iraq starting last Tuesday over unemployment and lack of improvement in public services.