Opponents of populist Shiite cleric launch own Baghdad sit-in to press for new govt

BAGHDAD: Opponents of populist Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr launched their own Baghdad sit-in Friday, nearly two weeks after Sadr supporters stormed parliament and began an open-ended protest first inside, then outside the legislature.

The opposing encampments are the latest turn in a standoff between Iraq’s rival Shiite blocs which has so far remained peaceful in the war-scarred country.

The pro-Iran Coordination Framework said it would hold an “indefinite sit-in” to press for a new government to be formed quickly to end months of deadlock.

The announcement came in a statement read out to thousands of the bloc’s supporters who had gathered on an access road to the capital’s Green Zone, home to government and diplomatic buildings, as well as parliament.

“We don’t know how long we’re going to stay,” said Abu Jabal, a 32-year-old day labourer.

“Five months, 10 months, we don’t know. Everything is ready, there will be food.”

An AFP correspondent saw protesters assembling large tents in readiness to camp out.

Loyalists of Sadr, a revered Shiite cleric who once led a militia against US and Iraqi government forces, have been demanding fresh elections after the Coordination Framework named a candidate for the premiership.

The Coordination Framework – an alliance that brings together the party of ex-prime minister Nuri al-Maliki, a longtime Sadr foe, and the Hashed al-Shaabi, a pro-Iran former paramilitary network now integrated into the security forces – wants a new government as quickly as possible.