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22:01 GMT
BAGHDAD, March 31 (KUNA) -- Iraqi cleric Muqtada Al-Sader and his followers ended Thursday their strike inside and outside the capital's Green Zone after Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi announced candidates for the upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
However, demonstrations will continue every Friday of the week to pressure the parliament to vote on the new cabinet lineup, Al-Sadr said while addressing his supporters inside the Green Zone.
He also urged political blocs to bear their national responsibilities and look after the public interests in order to complete the national reformation project, pointing out the current high risk level in the country.
Earlier today, Al-Abadi presented to the parliament candidates for a new government lineup, to be reviewed and voted on in ten days.
He said in a public session that he had submitted 16-member cabinet, all new members, except for the Defense and Interior Ministers, adding that some ministries have been merged together or cancelled.
Al-Sadr and hundreds of his supporters entered the Green Zone last Sunday to stage a sitdown strike against the government and pressure it to implement reforms. (pickup previous)
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