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Iraqi PM says protesters demands are ‘legitimate’ but warns of ‘the unknown’
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi described on Tuesday the demands of the protesters as legitimate but warned that the situation across the country "could be heading toward the unknown."In a televised speech, Abdul Mahdi said that the protests which erupted in early October are rightful and in the right direction, adding that these protests pointed to accumulated mistakes that were made since 2003. He said that "many economic and social mistakes have not been properly and radically addressed." "There are legitimate demands for the resignation of the government," said Abdul Mahdi. But he warned that the situation across the country could be heading "toward the unknown." Abdul Mahdi said there is a need for a constitutional amendment, adding this amendment could amount to a change in the political system. Earlier in the day, Abdul Mahdi appealed to protesters to suspend their movement, which he said had achieved its goals and was hurting the economy. He said he is willing to resign if politicians agree on a replacement and vowed a number of reforms. But protesters say that is not enough and the entire political class needs to go. Related: Adil Abdul Mahdi: 2019-10-30 Al-Sadr joins protesters in Iraq’s Najaf Adil Abdul Mahdi: 2019-10-29 Iraqi cleric al-Sadr calls for early election Adil Abdul Mahdi: 2019-10-28 Four Iraqi parliamentarians resign in anger at the government’s perceived failure to respond to mass protests Posted by: Fred 2019-11-06 |
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