Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Sadr calls for sit-in to pressure PM on reforms

Supporters of prominent Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr display a huge Iraqi flag during a protest against government corruption at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq March 11, 2016.

Reuters/Ahmed Saad


BAGHDAD Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Saturday called for a sit-in starting next Friday at the gates of Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone to put pressure on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to deliver on political reforms.Sadr, heir to a Shi'ite clerical dynasty persecuted under Saddam Hussein, on Feb. 12 gave Abadi 45 days to deliver on his promised changes or face a no-confidence vote in parliament.In a statement on his website, Sadr called for a sit-in starting on March 18 until the end of the 45 day period, which falls at the end of the month. The Green Zone houses government offices, parliament, foreign embassies and international organizations.


(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli; Editing by Janet Lawrence)


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