Iraq: The survival deal of Abdul-Mahdi divides the political blocs

POSTED ON [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] BY [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

[size=52]Iraq: The survival deal of Abdul-Mahdi divides the political blocs[/size]

[size=45]BAGHDAD - Adel al-Nawab, Zaid Salem
11 November 2019
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces moved on Sunday to implement a new plan approved by the authorities to quell protests by raising the level of violence against demonstrators to the highest levels in Baghdad and the south and center of the country, which amounted to the use of sound bombs and live ammunition, as well as gas bombs in most of its confrontations with Demonstrators, despite statements and statements by the government and the President about directing the security forces to maintain the security of the demonstrators. In parallel, fears of an imminent attack on Tahrir Square in central Baghdad after the withdrawal of medical ambulance teams, as well as the prevention of news agencies and television stations from being there and demanding that the Ministry of Interior to obtain licenses, appeared to be a way to keep them away from the scene, which is crowded with tens of thousands of demonstrators.
[size=45]On the other hand, officials and political leaders confirmed the existence of a sharp division within the main forces in parliament over the deal to remain Adel Abdul-Mahdi at the head of the government, and considered by some blocs insulting, being imposed from abroad, in reference to Iran.
Meanwhile, the PA renewed its attempt to push the demonstrators out of the streets. The three presidencies said in a statement that the authorities were working to enact a new election law that would guarantee fairness in electoral competition and put an end to “party monopoly”. After a meeting held by Iraqi President Barham Saleh in Baghdad with Abdul Mahdi, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammed Halbousi and President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, the participants confirmed their rejection of any security solution in dealing with the demonstrations, and stressed the accountability of the perpetrators of "excessive violence", declaring that the executive and judicial authorities They began legal work to prosecute defendants in corruption cases.[/size]
[size=45]He added, "Ammar al-Hakim bloc retreated from its position demanding the dismissal of the government and go to early elections, while the victory coalition led by former Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced his rejection of the survival of Abdul-Mahdi, as well as the Salvation Front led by Osama Nujaifi, at a time when the Iraqi Communist Party for the first time in a position Separated from the alliance of Sairon by declaring the rejection of the survival of Abdul-Mahdi and consider his government illegitimate after the killing of demonstrators, while the alliance of Sairon led by Moqtada al-Sadr, under Iranian pressure and fears for its popular and public balance in the south has not resolved its position so far, despite statements and statements Rate in the past few hours and confirm that it is still on his position. "
According to the same source, "the current divide foreshadows a large fragmentation within the Shiite Arab forces, despite the move Qassim Soleimani to reunite the Shiite blocs in one coalition and end the state of division left by the previous elections and produced what is known as cross-sectarian blocs or national blocs."[/size]
[size=45]Ayat Nouri, a spokeswoman for the coalition, told Ayat Al-Arabi that "the position of victory until now is to dismiss the government and hold early elections," adding, "The meeting that took place two days ago (you mean Soleimani meeting) of the political blocs did not attend The victory coalition and the alliance of others and the Salvation and Development Front, "pointing out that" the meeting discussed the issue of ministerial amendments as well as reforms, while retaining Abdul Mahdi in the presidency of the government, and this was boycotted the meeting. " Nouri stressed that "victory and others and the Salvation and Development Front, fixed on its positions, which is the dismissal of the government and early elections, these are the demands of the Iraqi people, and we stand with them and support them." `` We have not been under any Iranian or other pressure to back down, but the siege of the house of coalition leader Haider al-Abadi by unknown armed groups is a threatening message and an attempt to twist the arms, but this thing did not and will not scare us and we will remain steadfast in our position. ''[/size]
[size=45]As for the Communist Party of Iraq, Raed Fahmy, told the "New Arab", that "the demonstrators did not participate in any meetings with political forces, and the Communist Party refuses to participate in any political sessions to address the crisis and play on the feelings of protesters and the procrastination of their demands, nor does it There is one party representing the demonstrators of different variations, and they have a list of demands, the first of which is the resignation of the government of Abdul-Mahdi.
“The political forces are parties to the crisis, so how can they come together to decide the fate of the demonstrators and the government? But she feels that the regime in Iraq is under threat, and is currently fighting to prevent the resignation of Abdul-Mahdi, who is consistent with its interests, pointing out that "the Communist refuses to neglect Abdul-Mahdi any new period, and he is involved in all the blood that flowed from the demonstrators, nor did he apologize "The protesters have not been brought to justice, nor have they claimed responsibility for what happened during the ongoing demonstrations."[/size]
[size=45]Haidar al-Mulla, a leader of the Alliance of Iraqi Forces, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad al-Halbousi, told Al-Arabi al-Jadeed that the Iranian political actor does not want to lose two governments (Iraq and Lebanon) in the region at the same time. Not to go to find an alternative to Adel Abdul Mahdi. ” He said that "the problem today is that the demands of the demonstrators for reform must begin to dismiss the government of Abdul-Mahdi, especially after his involvement as the commander-in-chief of the Iraqi bloodshed," saying that "the political forces can not continue and withstand the support of this government, but most of these forces do not It wants to change the government under public pressure. ”[/size]
[size=45]For his part, the leader of the alliance, Ali Mahdi, in contact with the "new Arab", that the coalition "not with the agreement to remain Abdul Mahdi in office in exchange for reshuffle and the launch of new reform packages, but our position is firm until the moment with the dismissal, and has been He is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the chief executive officer of the Iraqi state, and bears any bloodshed by law. "We believe that the removal of Abdul Mahdi under the dome of parliament, difficult, because most of the political forces (Shiite, Sunni, Kurdish) support for his survival, and even the stream of wisdom now with the survival of the government, but we continue to move towards its dismissal, according to the demands of the demonstrators, and no retreat About this decision, and talk of some political parties about the retreat of others are not correct position, which are rumors to confuse public opinion and mixing papers.[/size]
[size=45]In the meantime, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Moussavi, in a press conference yesterday, countries and unnamed "exploitation" protests in Iraq, saying that his country "calls for the return of security and calm," saying that "there are enemies lurking in the region from within Outside, they want the differences to continue, "he said, hoping that" the countries of the region will thwart these conspiracies. "
He said that the statements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, last Friday, "were correct and in place." Erdogan told reporters during his trip to Hungary about the demonstrations in Iraq that he had "speculation about who is behind the unrest (in Iraq)," and expressed his expectation "the possibility that it will extend into Iran," pointing out that the goal is to divide and tear the world Islamic and create differences within it.[/size]
[size=45]On the ground, the past 24 hours have witnessed, after the hit-and-run operations between demonstrators and security forces, the latter took control of al-Khalani Square and al-Senak and al-Ahrar bridges in Baghdad, after six demonstrators were killed and at least 200 others were injured, which means that the demonstrators in Iraq are missing important and effective areas. They have been there for the past weeks. On the other hand, security confrontations continued with demonstrators across Al-Rasheed Street, Hafez Al-Qadi and Al-Bab Al-Moazzam Bridge, despite the retreat of protesters towards Tahrir Square after a torrent of tear gas and bullets.[/size]
[size=45]Activist Abbas Zghayer told Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed that the security forces opened fire on the walls of the Turkish restaurant where the protesters were holed up as well as those near the Al-Gomhuria Bridge. "We believe they want to blockade us inside Tahrir Square and tighten the noose from all directions. We have written requests to the United Nations to provide protection for us as well as to the Red Cross after the Ministry of Health ordered its medical staff to withdraw from the square."
In the context, a member of the civil current Walid Hussein al-Tamimi, the "new Arab," that "the government is betting through the crackdown in Baghdad on the decline in the number of demonstrators," saying that "the position of the United Nations is very shameful."[/size]
[size=45]At this time, Dhi Qar, Karbala, Basra, Maysan, and Najaf witnessed an escalation of protests, and a government radio station in Maysan was shut down by demonstrators after an interview that was deemed to be an abuse of protesters. The education, social welfare, treasury and Shiite endowment offices in Najaf, Nasiriyah and other government departments were also closed and written on the order of the people.[/size]
[size=45]In contrast, several towns and areas in Basra, Karbala, Maysan, Diwaniyah and Dhi Qar have witnessed large-scale arrests by Iraqi security forces of at least 200 activists and demonstrators. According to Iraqi human rights sources and a member of the Basra Provincial Council, which was dissolved a few days ago as part of government reform packages, dozens were arrested from their homes or streets in Shatt al-Arab, al-Zubair, Umm Qasr and other areas of Basra. Others in the south have seen similar arrests during the past hours.[/size]
[size=45]A security force also attacked al-Haboubi Hospital in the center of Nasiriyah, and carried out an arrest operation against 11 protesters who suffered from suffocation from gas bombs, and assaulted a number of doctors after trying to prevent the arrest, as it is contrary to Iraqi law in cases of wounded and sick in hospital.
(Additional reporting from Baghdad: Salam al-Jaf)[/size]


[size=45][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
[/size][/size]