Iraqis protest in Basra against poor public services

BASRA, Iraq, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- Hundreds of people gathered at the building of Basra Governorate on Friday evening in protest against the poor public services and lingering promises of reform by Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi.
The protesters demand prompt and radical implementation of reform promises and bringing the corrupt officials to book, Laith Al-Yaaqoubi, a civil rights activist, told KUNA.
"We also demand that Iraq be a civil state and press for immediate release of the activists detained by the security services a fortnight ago," he said.
"Many infrastructure projects in the governorate have been in limbo for a long time, which left the people suffering from salinity of water, poor roads and wrecked underwater networks," Al-Yaaqoubi pointed out.
He affirmed the resolve of protesters to continue their drive until their demands are met.
The demonstrations in Basra are smaller than earlier protests as the supporters of the Sadrist Movement decided to join a demonstration in million in the capital city of Baghdad today.
On August 9 the government of Al-Abadi decided on a package of reforms aiming to combat corruption and improve the public services which were approved by the parliament two days later. (end) bg.mmj.gb