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         Protesters Leave Iraqi Parliament Building, But Vow to Return

   by Sharon Behn

   Baghdad is largely back to normal after it teetered on the edge of
   political chaos. Anti-government protesters who had taken over the
   Iraqi parliament building disbanded in a mostly peaceful fashion as
   loud speaker announcements urged them to leave.

   On Saturday, protesters led by Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr crowded
   the streets in front of the country's parliament and poured into the
   heavily secured Green Zone, or International Zone (IZ), which is home
   to the Iraqi government building and several foreign embassies.

   Protesters, who had done major damage inside the parliament building
   during the day-long standoff, packed up their bags and carried flags
   with them as they left peacefully Sunday.

   ''

   After the protesters left, families were seen walking through the
   compound, swimming in a fountain and taking pictures of the
   well-manicured gardens.

   While the protesters left without incident Sunday, Sadr said it was
   only done out of "respect" for a Shi'ite pilgrimage that was taking
   place at the same time. He said the protesters would be back on Friday
   to continue the protests.

   Akhlas al-Obaidi, one of the protest organizers, confirmed the
   protesters would return at the end of the week to make a "major stand"
   and keep up the pressure on law makers.

   Iraqi lawmakers flee

   Lawmakers fled Saturday after protesters stormed into the parliament.
   Some 60 lawmakers, mostly from the minority Kurdish and Sunni parties,
   flew out of the capital for Irbil and Suleymania, in the northern
   autonomous Kurdish region.

   "It was dangerous for all of us," one parliament official told VOA,
   speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation. Some
   lawmakers were beaten, he said.

   Normally only those with special badges are allowed into the
   International Zone.

   WATCH:  Protesters in Baghdad Occupy Part of International Zone (IZ)

   ''"It is dangerous," the parliament official said. "At any time the
   protesters could attack any embassy, any institution they want, or
   abuse anybody passing by."

   "It seems al-Sadr wants to keep them inside the IZ so he can force the
   government to do what he wants," he said.

   Political unrest

   The parliament takeover was the culmination of weeks of political
   wrangling and increasing instability, and came just days after U.S.
   Vice President Joe Biden visited Baghdad.

   White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the visit was a good
   indication of U.S. continued support for Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar
   al-Abadi's efforts to unify Iraq and confront Islamic State. But the
   visit was not enough to stave off the deepening political crisis.

   Sadr has been demanding a new government of technocrats. Abadi - who
   had also promised reform -- had been unable to deliver any real change
   as political parties, unwilling to let go of their political power,
   blocked the majority of his list of candidates.

   Abadi on Sunday walked through the ransacked parliament building, and
   called on the Interior Minister Mohammed Salem al-Ghabban to bring the
   attackers "to justice."

   Growing frustration

   But even as political blocs have fought to maintain their positions and
   all the trappings of power, the anger in the Iraqi street has been
   growing for the past year over the lack of basic services, security,
   and the vast government corruption and political patronage.

   Sadr, a firebrand cleric sometimes described as a Shi'ite nationalist,
   has managed to capitalize on that anger and frustration.

   "Al-Sadr has the power of the people. One speech and he can deliver
   thousands of people to do what he wants. It is the power of the
   populace," the parliament official said. "Al-Sadr is capable of running
   and leading the anger within each Iraqi person."

   Sadr move for power

   One high-ranking Iraqi military official, also speaking to VOA on
   condition of anonymity, said that Sadr had many young Iraqis, including
   Sunnis and Christians, on his side.

   ''

   The Institute for the Study of War describes Sadr's power grab as a de
   facto political coup.

   But the military official said Prime Minister Abadi was still in
   control of the Iraqi military and the running of the country.

   Sadr has strong opponents

   Yet he warned that powerful rival Shi'ite powers in Baghdad were not
   comfortable with Sadr's attempted power grab. He said members of the
   notorious Badr Brigade militia, which is strongly allied with Iran,
   were beginning to converge on the capital's center.

   The possibility for intra-Shi'ite violence in Baghdad is high, and
   Baghdad residents said they are unsure of what will happen next.

   There is also concern that Islamic State could take advantage of the
   turmoil to up its attacks. Iraqi security forces closed off all
   entrances to the city on Saturday.

   Resident Mahdi Makhmour, who lives outside the IZ, said the city
   streets were empty Sunday morning and many roads were still blocked
   off, partly because of the start of a three-day Shi'ite religious
   celebration in the capital.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/protesters-leave-iraq-parliament-buil
   ding/3311425.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/protesters-leave-iraq-parliament-building/3311425.html