France condemns violent protests in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – FEBRUARY 11: Thousands of supporters of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stage a protest to demand the dissolution of Iraq’s High Electoral Commission at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, Iraq on February 11, 2017. ( Murtadha Sudani – Anadolu Agency )

France condemned on Monday the outbreak of serious violence during protests in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, on Saturday which led to a number of fatalities among protestors and the police.

A French Foreign Ministry statement said the country equally “condemns the rockets fired at the Green Zone”.

PHOTO STORY: Violence in Baghdad as thousands demonstrate against Iraq government

The French government called on Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to open a swift investigation to uncover the circumstances of these events.

The statement added that France reiterates its full support for the Iraqi government and urged Baghdad to continue to implement the necessary measures to achieve national reconciliation and reform in Iraq.

The French Foreign Ministry described Iraqi unity as necessary at a time when the country is fighting its battle in Mosul, which could represent a shift in the war against the terrorist organisation, Daesh.

Read: Iraqi president urges calm after deadly protests

Thousands of supporters of the Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gathered on Saturday outside the heavily guarded Green Zone calling to reform the electoral law.

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