Pro-Sadr protesters occupy Iraq parliament

Hundreds of followers of an influential Shiite cleric have breached Iraq's parliament on Saturday for a second time this week to protest the government formation efforts lead by Iran-backed groups.

Iraqi security forces used tear gas and sound bombs to try to repel the demonstrators. An expected parliament session did not take place and there were no lawmakers in the hall.

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Iraq's Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi directed security forces to protect demonstrators and asked them to keep their protest peaceful.

Supporters of Moqtada Al Sadr pull down a concrete barrier during a protest in Baghdad, Iraq. Reuters

Iraqi security forces hurled gas canisters and used sound bombs to disperse the thousands of Iraqi demonstrators, the followers of an influential cleric, in the heavily fortified government zone of the capital on Saturday.

One by one, demonstrators used ropes to pull down cement barricades leading to the gate of Iraq's Green Zone, which houses official buildings and foreign embassies. They had come to protest the formation of the next government by Iran-backed parties.

Associated Press