Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Iraqi Protesters Shut Down Southern Oil Field

RFE /RL

   Protesters in IraqonSaturday shut down a southern oil field and forced
   a cutoff of electricity at the facility amid unrest that has racked the
   capital and much of southern Iraq since public anger first boiled over
   nearly three months ago, news media reported.
   Reuters reported that the demonstrators chanted, "No homeland, no oil!"
   as they forced the closure at theNassiriyaoil field, which produces
   90,000 barrels a day.
   The news agency cited "a security source and two oil sources" as saying
   the facility had been shut down.
   Iraq has been shaken by mostly leaderless anti-government and
   anti-Iranian protests that have led to hundreds of deaths amid a
   violent crackdown by authorities.
   The protesters have decried rampant corruption, a lack of jobs and
   perceived official incompetence.
   Many have also condemned foreign influence and demanded an end to the
   system imposed since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, the ouster of the
   country's ruling elite andplacement ofan independent in the prime
   minister's seat.
   Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi was forced out by the public
   pressure, although he has said he will remain on in a caretaker
   capacity.
   The constitutional deadline to name his replacementwaslate last week.

.