BAGHDAD (AFP) -
Iraqi
cleric Moqtada Sadr on Friday urged Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to
propose a "convincing" reform package but hinted that further protests
if he did not would remain non-violent.
In a speech read by
another cleric, Asaad al-Nasseri, to thousands of supporters gathered in
Baghdad, Sadr said Abadi should unveil a reform package on Saturday.
"I
hope that on Saturday the prime minister comes up with reforms towards
an independent government of technocrats that are convincing for the
people," he said.
Sadr supporters set up protest camps in front of
the entrances of the restricted "Green Zone", where the country's top
institutions are located, a week ago to push for reforms.
The
young Najaf-based cleric's movement says the sit-in is aimed at offering
Abadi the kind of street power he does not have to overcome resistance
to reforms from within his own political bloc.
But Sadr has also
given Abadi a deadline to present names for technocratic cabinet and a
fresh packages of measures to fight against corruption.
He said in
his speech that he expected an announcement from Abadi on Saturday.
Last month he gave the premier a 45-day ultimatum that expires on
Tuesday.
"If he does not announce a reform package... we will
adopt a different position, which we will announce on Saturday," Sadr
said, in the speech read out by Nasseri.
"Our protests in front of the Green Zone will not be enough. All of this will use peaceful means," he said.
Both
he and his supporters have threatened in recent weeks to storm the
Green Zone, which is home to Abadi's office, parliament and many
embassies, including the massive US mission.
The protest camps set
up by Sadrists on March 18 were not authorised and they are under heavy
surveillance from elite forces and police.
Sadr has also threatened he could pull his movement out of the government.
© 2016 AFP
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