WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States urged Iraqi authorities to hold early polls and carry out electoral reforms and called for an end to the violence that has left hundreds of protesters dead. Washington wants “the Iraqi government to halt the violence against protesters and fulfil President (Barham) Saleh’s promise to pass electoral reform and hold early elections,” the White House said in a statement Sunday. US said that it “is seriously concerned by continued attacks against protesters, civic activists and the media, as well as restrictions on internet access, in Iraq,” it said. Mass rallies calling for an overhaul of the ruling system have rocked the capital Baghdad and the Shiite-majority south since October 1, but political forces closed ranks this week to defend the government.

Source: Manila Times November 11, 2019 17:08 UTC