BAGHDAD, Aug 9 (KUNA) -- Large numbers of Iraqis gathered at Tahrir Square in downtown Baghdad Sunday evening in support of the administrative reforms announced earlier today by Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi.
The demonstrators raised the Iraqi flags, chanted pro-government slogans and called for bringing corrupt officials to trial.
The mass rally was held under tight security measures with the law-enforcers setting up checkpoints on the roads to the scene to bar live transmission vehicles and distribute fresh water bottles among the demonstrators.
The demonstration was staged in response to calls on the social media websites.
Al-Abadi has announced administrative reforms with immediate effect including ones to abolish the posts of vice president and deputy premier and set up a higher commission on investigations into the graft charges.
He has also decided to trim the numbers of bodyguards for state officials and scrap the exceptional appropriations for senior officials and retirees. (pickup previous) ahh.gb