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Iraq protests: Ali al-Sistani warns foreign actors against interfering in anti-government protests

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Nov 01, 2019, 11:41 PM IST
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Demonstrators chant slogans during Iraq protests. Photograph:(Reuters)

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Iraq has close but complicated ties with neighbouring Iran but also with Tehran's sworn foe Washington. 

Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani warned foreign actors on Friday against taking part in or inciting anti-government protests.

The warning comes after Iraqi president Barham Salih's televised announcement that Prime Minister Mahdi is ready to resign.

Ahmad al-Safi, a representative for Iraq's top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

It may be recalled that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had also emphasised on Wednesday that protesters in both Iraq and Lebanon shall pursue their demands through "legal frameworks."

Iraq has close but complicated ties with neighbouring Iran but also with Tehran's sworn foe Washington. 

Since rallies against corruption and unemployment broke out on October 1, demonstrators and their detractors have accused each other of being backed by outside actors.

More than 250 people have been killed and 10,000 wounded in the last month during the protest

Abdul Mahdi came to power a year ago based on a tenuous partnership between populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and paramilitary leader Hadi al-Ameri, who have now vowed to oust the current prime minister.