Hundreds of students voiced their rejection of Allawi at rallies in Baghdad’s central plazas and in southern Iraq. “We don’t want Allawi because he is a party member chosen by the parties,” said Hadi Safir, a protester in Tahrir. Al-Sadr’s followers returned to the demonstration camps Friday? Upon returning, al-Sadr’s followers consolidated control of strategic areas in Tahrir Square, including key bridges leading to the fortified Green Zone, the seat of government. Many protesters said al-Sadr’s followers had threatened them to toe the cleric’s line or leave the square.

Source: thestar February 02, 2020 14:48 UTC