Iraqi protesters lock down oil field, call a strike

– Iraqi anti-government protesters blockaded an oil field and rallied in southern cities yesterday, while political factions remained paralysed in their attempts to form a new government.

Several hundred people, demanding jobs, shut off access to the Nassiriya field, 300km south of Baghdad, which produces 82 000 barrels of oil a day, executives said.

The two-day-old blockade is the first to disrupt operations in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (Opec) second-largest producer since the start of the popular revolt set to enter its fourth month.

The youth-led protests demand the eviction of the entire political class that has run the country in the aftermath of the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

Demonstrators have vented their fury at what they consider inept politicians who have mismanaged the economy, enriched themselves and are beholden to powerful neighbour Iran.

Sit-in protests have shut down state offices and schools across the Shiite-majority south for weeks and demonstrators again declared a “general strike” in Diwaniya yesterday, the first day of the working week.

Mass rallies and picket lines also paralysed Kut, Hillah, Amara and the shrine city of Najaf.

The protests been met with batons, tear gas and, at times, live rounds in violence that has claimed nearly 460 lives and left some 25 000 people wounded.

The activists scored a partial success last month with the resignation of Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahd, who remains in charge in a caretaker role.

Political factions have since wrangled over finding a successor – so far without success.

And although parliament has voted for an electoral reform package, there has been no indication that early polls will be held anytime soon. – AFP