Page 116 - Coordination Framework News Today

Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad Monday in counter-protests as rival supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr extended their occupation of parliament into a third day. Almost 10 months after Iraqis went to the polls, a political standoff pits two key factions of the Shiite political scene, between the populist Sadr with a devoted following of millions, and the pro-Iran Coordination Framework.

Sadr's supporters say protests "not directed against any particular group".

Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets of Baghdad Monday in counter-protests as rival supporters of Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr extended their occupation of parliament into a third day.Almost 10 months after Iraqis went to the polls, a political standoff pits two key factions of the Shiite political scene, between the populist Sadr with a devoted following of millions, and the powerful pro-Iran Coordination Framework.

Tussle over who gets to form next government has deepened fissure in Iraqi politics

Iraqis are terrified that renewed internecine Shiite strife could plunge the country into all-out war. Both sides have hundreds of thousands of militia fighters and supporters at their disposal. Neither appears motivated to back down. “The fire of dissention will burn us all,” warned Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. On one side is corruption personified; former Prime

With mattresses strewn about, food trucked in and protesters playacting as lawmakers, hundreds of followers...

The political rivals of an influential Iraqi cleric whose followers stormed the parliament have declared their own counter-protest.

Middle-East Arab News and Opinion - Asharq Al-Awsat is the world’s premier pan-Arab daily newspaper, printed simultaneously each day on four continents in 14 cities

Thousands of al-Sadr supporters resume their sit-in inside parliament in Baghdad as counter-protests take place nearby.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Thousands of followers of an influential Shiite cleric stormed into Iraqs parliament on Saturday, for the second time this week, prote