Protests continue in central, southern Iraq over lack of jobs, basic service

BAGHDAD - Dozens of demonstrators rallied on Monday in the Iraqi capital Baghdad and several other provinces in central and southern Iraq in protest over lack of jobs and basic service.

In Baghdad, demonstrators rallied in Tahrir Square in downtown the capital, raising Iraqi flags and confirming their solidarity with demonstrators in the southern cities of the country.

The protestors raised banners and placards, urging the security forces to stop using violence against the demonstrators who demand their rights of better public services.

Some banners read "No to violence against demonstrators" and "Public services are rights guaranteed by the Constitution for all Iraqis."

"The demonstrators pledged to continue to protest until the government meets their demands," Ali Akram, one of the protestors, told Xinhua.

In Iraq's southern oil hub of Basra, dozens of people rallied near the provincial government building in the center of the city, protesting over the shortage of electricity and drinking water, as well as lack of jobs, a local journalist told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

There was no violence reported during the demonstration, the source said.

In southeast of Basra city, some 550 km south of Baghdad, about 200 protesters gathered at the main entrance to Iraq's Siba natural gas field, demanding jobs for the people of Basra who are suffering unemployment, the source added.

The demonstration did not affect the production operations at the gas field, which is run by Kuwait Energy PLC.

Unlike the previous days, Basra was calm and the security situation was under control despite the protests.

In the holy Shiite city of Karbala, some 110 km south of Baghdad, the security forces fired bullets in the air to disperse dozens of demonstrators gathered in the city center protesting over lack of public services and demanding accountability of the corrupt, a local security source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.