BAGHDAD, June 17 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi capital Al-Tahreer Square witnessed on Friday protests by activists calling for administrative reforms and tribesmen demanding prosecution of leaders of the ousted regime for committing crimes against the people.
The activists brandished placards with slogans calling for ouster of the government of Nouri Al-Maliki and condemning "Iran's meddling" in the local political process.
"Friday after Friday, the corrupt to be eradicated," they cried. They also chanted other rhetorical slogans such as "Friday after Friday, Al-Maliki out" -- alluding to the Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki.
A group of the protestors read a statement at the crowd, accusing the government of protecting "the criminals and corrupt." They also called for recognizing citizens' rights for protesting and abstention from resorting to violence against the demonstrators.
Moreover, they called for a new electoral law to secure equal legislative representation for all political parties.
Simultaneously, hundreds of natives of the town of Al-Dujail and members of tribes held a demonstration at the same location, calling for the execution of the figures of the ousted Baath regime who were convicted for involvement in the Al-Dujail massacre. "Death to the Baath regime," they chanted The Dujail Massacre refers to the events following an assassination attempt against the former (executed) Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, on July 8, 1982, in the town of Al-Dujail. (end) mhg.rk KUNA 171340 Jun 11NNNN