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One Anti-Government Protester Killed in Iraq After Demonstrations Resume

VOA News

   Iraqi officials say one person was killed in Baghdad as police fired on
   anti-government protesters Saturday, the first day of demonstrations
   since a two-day curfew was lifted.

   Demonstrators began taking to the streets last Tuesday to protest
   unemployment, poor public services and corruption.
   Saturday's protests came one day after former Shi'ite militia leader
   Moqtada al-Sadr, who leads the largest opposition bloc in parliament,
   called on the government to resign and said "early elections should be
   held under U.N. supervision."
   Iraqi forces have been opening fire on the protesters, and medical and
   security sources say at least 65 people have been killed this week.
   The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement
   Friday saying "the deaths of civilians and the growing number of
   wounded at the ongoing protests across the country is particularly
   worrying, as is the use of firearms for restoring public order."

   The ICRC has called on both sides to show restraint as it monitors
   developments on the ground.

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