Iraq: Protesters storm parliament second time this week

Thousands of demonstrators forced their way into Iraq's parliament on Saturday in Baghdad's Green Zone. 

The Ministry of Health said approximately125 people were injured, of them about 100 were protesters and 25 members of the security forces.

Followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr were demonstrating over the formation of the next government, involving Iran-backed political groups. They declared an open-ended sit-in and claimed they would not disperse until their demands are answered.

A parliamentary session that was due to be held did not take place and there were no lawmakers in the hall.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called for restraint and for security forces to protect protesters in a speech.

"The political blocs must sit down and negotiate and reach an understanding for the sake of Iraq and the Iraqis," al-Kadhimi said.

The second breach of Iraq's parliament

Iraqi security forces used tear gas and stun grenades in an effort to disperse the crowds. Several police officers were hurt as stones were thrown, according to police.

A witness told Reuters news agency that protesters had managed to tear down concrete barriers before entering the city's Green Zone which houses government buildings and various diplomatic missions.

It's the second time in the space of a week that crowds of protesters have managed to breach the country's parliamentary building. On Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators forced their way into the building voicing opposition to the nomination of Mohammed al-Sudani for the office of prime minister.

Iraq's political crisis

Political parties have failed to reach agreement on the selection of a national leader since the elections in October last year. It's the longest period the Middle Eastern country has gone through without an official prime minister.

Al-Sadr's bloc won the most seats in the election, but talks with other parties stalled as Kurdish and Shiite lawmakers failed to reach an agreement.

While al-Sadr and his supporters are Shiite, they oppose other Shiite parties with strong connections to Iran, such as al-Sudani's Coordination Framework bloc.

kb/sri (AP, Reuters)