Protesters block vital highway in Iraqi capital

(26 Dec 2019) A group of protesters blocked the highway of Mohammed al Qassim in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad early on Thursday.

Many cars were stuck on the highway, which is considered Baghdad's most vital, while others were force to take alternative routes using nearby roads.

The Mohammed al Qassim highway connects the area between the north and the south of Baghdad and stretches 20 kilometres long.

Protesters' demands include improved living conditions,and an independent prime minister outside the political establishment.

Earlier on Wednesday outgoing higher education minister, Qusay al-Suhail, who had also been rejected by protesters on the streets, withdrew his nomination for prime minister.

Pressure from the demonstrations led Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi to announce his resignation late last month.

A deadline to name a new prime minister has been missed twice over disagreements on which is the largest bloc in the parliament following last year's elections.

Leaderless mass protests have been ongoing in Iraq since October 1.



Find out more about AP Archive:

Twitter:

Facebook:

Google+:

Tumblr:

Instagram:





You can license this story through AP Archive:

AP Archive,4246373,ce52930accb646dfbaa4c35adacf3bf6,Iraq Protest,Adil Abdul-Mahdi,Iraq,Middle East,Baghdad,General news,Government and politics,