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Iraqi PM suggests making Basra weapon-free zone after protests turn deadly

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi
BAGHDAD, July 17 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi stressed importance Friday on ensuring that the city of Basra is transformed into a weapon-free zone, noting that only the government should carry weapons there.
The local government in Basra has pledged to form an investigation committee regarding recent protests in the city, which resulted in the killing of one and injuring of three others.
The premier said in a statement that Al-Abadi asserted on prohibiting other entities, barring state military and security forces, from carrying weapons.
The move came after protests in southern Basra city against bad services and power outages, accompanied by unprecedented high temperatures, which resulting in burning down a municipality council area in the city late last night.
The protests led security forces in killing one protester and injuring three others.
Meanwhile, Basra province Governor Majid Al-Nasrawi said in a statement, that he called for forming a fact-finding committee on the killing and injuring of protesters. (end) mhg.mb