Baghdad: Thousands of Iraqis upset about poor city services marched peacefully through the streets of Basra on Monday, demanding the provincial governor's resignation despite calls by top government officials a day earlier to call off the protest..Some 3,000 demonstrators gathered near the Basra mosque, then marched a few hundred meters (yards) to the governor's office, which was surrounded by Iraqi soldiers and police officers. A small number of the demonstrators carried light weapons.."We call for the resignation of the Basra governor," read one banner carried by demonstrators. "We call for the government to remove the governor," read another. Others waved Iraqi flags and chanted "No, no to the governor!"Protesters dispersed peacefully after a few hours, and called for a three-day sit-in in front of the governor's office starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. If their demands are not met within three days, the sit-in could be extended, they said.Basra is Iraq's second-largest city, situated 550 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. .On Sunday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki contacted religious and political leaders in Basra and won their promise to cancel the planned protest, his office said in a statement.Complaints against the governor should be dealt with through the democratic process, the statement said.Leaflets distributed after Friday prayers in Basra called for a peaceful march early Monday to seek Gov. Mohammed al-Waili's resignation. Residents have complained of inadequate electricity, garbage disposal and water supplies.
Baghdad: Thousands of Iraqis upset about poor city services marched peacefully through the streets of Basra on Monday, demanding the provincial governor's resignation despite calls by top government officials a day earlier to call off the protest..Some 3,000 demonstrators gathered near the Basra mosque, then marched a few hundred meters (yards) to the governor's office, which was surrounded by Iraqi soldiers and police officers. A small number of the demonstrators carried light weapons.."We call for the resignation of the Basra governor," read one banner carried by demonstrators. "We call for the government to remove the governor," read another. Others waved Iraqi flags and chanted "No, no to the governor!"Protesters dispersed peacefully after a few hours, and called for a three-day sit-in in front of the governor's office starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday. If their demands are not met within three days, the sit-in could be extended, they said.Basra is Iraq's second-largest city, situated 550 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. .On Sunday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki contacted religious and political leaders in Basra and won their promise to cancel the planned protest, his office said in a statement.Complaints against the governor should be dealt with through the democratic process, the statement said.Leaflets distributed after Friday prayers in Basra called for a peaceful march early Monday to seek Gov. Mohammed al-Waili's resignation. Residents have complained of inadequate electricity, garbage disposal and water supplies.