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Iraqis Gather in Baghdad for Protests Despite Vehicle Ban

   VOA News  March 04, 2011
   Protesters  chant  anti-government  slogans  during a demonstration in
   Baghdad, Iraq, March 4, 2011

Photo: AP

   Protesters  chant  anti-government  slogans  during a demonstration in
   Baghdad, Iraq, March 4, 2011

   Hundreds  of Iraqis are walking toward Baghdad's Liberation Square for
   anti-government demonstrations, obeying a government ban on vehicles.
   The Associated Press reports some protesters walked for hours to reach
   the square for Friday's protests.
   The government imposed a vehicle ban late Thursday.
   Thousands  of  Iraqis  demonstrated  across  the  country last Friday,
   demanding  better  public services and measures to clean up government
   corruption.   Security forces clashed with the protesters, causing at
   least 14 deaths.
   In  response  to  the unrest, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has
   cut  his  own  pay  and  increased  funding  for food programs for the
   needy.   On  Sunday,  he  gave  his cabinet 100 days to improve or be
   fired.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.

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