Tens of thousands of followers of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have taken to the streets of Baghdad to demonstrate against a deal that would allow US forces to stay on in Iraq.
Waving Iraqi flags and chanting “Yes to Iraq!” and “No to the occupation!”, protestors set fire to US flags – but the atmosphere was mostly peaceful at the rally which had been authorised by the interior ministry.
The pact they are opposed to would replace a UN mandate authorising the presence of US-led forces in Iraq which expires at the end of the year. It requires approval by the Iraqi parliament, which is far from assured.
Under the deal, the US-led forces must end patrols of Iraqi streets by the middle of next year and withdraw fully from the country by the end of 2011
Waving Iraqi flags and chanting “Yes to Iraq!” and “No to the occupation!”, protestors set fire to US flags – but the atmosphere was mostly peaceful at the rally which had been authorised by the interior ministry.
The pact they are opposed to would replace a UN mandate authorising the presence of US-led forces in Iraq which expires at the end of the year. It requires approval by the Iraqi parliament, which is far from assured.
Under the deal, the US-led forces must end patrols of Iraqi streets by the middle of next year and withdraw fully from the country by the end of 2011
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