Demonstrators rally in support of Iraqi government
BAGHDAD (AP) — Shiite demonstrators took to the streets in Iraq's capital Saturday to show support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government, which has faced angry protests in Sunni provinces in a sign of growing sectarian tensions.
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Under tight security measures, about 2,000 people took part in the rally held in downtown Baghdad, some holding pictures of the Shiite prime minister. They reject Sunni calls to abolish a tough anti-terrorism law and another law banning former members of the disbanded Baath party from holding government jobs.
Some of the protesters raised banners reading "The aim of Anbar protests is to divide Iraq," and "We support al-Maliki." Others held aloft posters denouncing fugitive Sunni vice president Tariq al-Hashemi as a "lord of sectarianism."
Members of Iraq's Sunni minority, in the western province of Anbar and other Sunni parts of the country, have been holding large demonstrations for the past three weeks to protest what they call discrimination by the Shiite-led government.
The Sunni protests began last month following the arrests of bodyguards assigned to Finance Minister Rafia al-Issawi, one of the central government's most senior Sunni officials. He has since become a rallying point for the demonstrators, who are angry over perceived second-class treatment by the Shiite-led government.
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