Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Sit-ins begin in Basra following yesterday's rally

Protesters at today's rally, which followed yesterday's march by thousands seeking the resignation of the provincial governor al-Waili, a member of a rival Shiite faction to that of Muqtada al-Sadr.

Thousands of residents of Basra gathered outside the Basra governor's office for the start of a three-day sit-in to demand Gov. Mohammed al-Waili's resignation. The protesters said that the sit-in could be extended if their demands are not met within three days. However, the governor was not believed to be in his office at the time.

The protestors are demanding the resignation of Gov. Mohammed al-Waili on charges of corruption and mismanagement. The residents have long complained of inadequate electricity, garbage disposal and water supplies in Basra, Iraq's second-largest city about 340 miles southeast of Baghdad.

Read the rest at NASDAQ News

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