BAGHDAD (Dispatches) – A senior Iraqi Shia cleric has called for political dialogue between the Arab country’s rival factions, as supporters of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr continue an open-ended occupation of the parliament amid a deepening political standoff over the formation of a new government.
Head of the National Wisdom political coalition Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim said on Tuesday that he supports outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s call on protesters to remain calm and avoid attacking security forces and his appeal to political parties in the country to negotiate and reach a common ground.
Hakim called on all demonstrators to exercise self-restraint, respect state institutions, protect public and private properties, cooperate with law enforcement forces, and not put society’s peace, security, and stability at risk.
He also urged all political parties to develop a national initiative and engage in a “constructive dialogue” to resolve the crisis.
Tensions have soared in Iraq over the failure to form a government nearly 10 months after last October’s legislative elections, which marked the country’s longest post-election deadlock.
Thousands of Iraqi demonstrators staged a protest on Monday at the edge of Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone, which houses government departments and foreign missions, as Sadr’s supporters extended their occupation of parliament into the third day.
“The people will not allow a coup,” read placards held by supporters of the Coordination Framework bloc as they gathered on a main street.
“It is the parliament of the people, of all Iraqis, not the parliament of a select group,” 25-year-old protester Ahmed Ali said, condemning “the storming” of government institutions.
Sadr on Sunday took to Twitter to call on political factions in the Arab country to support his followers who have breached the parliament and are preparing for a long sit-in at the legislative body.
The Iraqi prime minister on Monday called for a national dialogue to settle the current political deadlock.
In a statement released by his office, al-Kadhimi urged protesters to evacuate the government institutions and hold “a national dialogue” that involves all parties to “draw up a road map for a solution.”