UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of all Iraqi security services working with the government in its efforts to secure peaceful assemblies and protect all state institutions and diplomatic missions.

Guterres noted that “freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are among the fundamental rights that must be respected at all times, and we constantly call for demonstrations in Iraq to be peaceful and call on the security services to exercise restraint.”

He pointed out that “all security agencies in Iraq must cooperate with the government in its efforts to ensure peaceful assemblies, protect all state institutions, diplomatic missions and employees in Iraq, and combat any security breaches while ensuring full respect for human rights. “

Earlier, hundreds of Sadrist supporters stormed the parliament’s headquarters in the capital Baghdad to reject the candidacy of Muhammad Shia al-Sudani’s focal point for prime minister.