This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7741263.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Iraqis protest against troop deal | Iraqis protest against troop deal |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of people have protested in Baghdad against a proposed deal to allow US troops to remain in Iraq once their UN mandate expires. | Thousands of people have protested in Baghdad against a proposed deal to allow US troops to remain in Iraq once their UN mandate expires. |
| The demonstration was called by the Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, who has strongly opposed any deal with the US. | The demonstration was called by the Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, who has strongly opposed any deal with the US. |
| Security was tight around the area, but the organisers insist the protest in the capital will remain peaceful. | Security was tight around the area, but the organisers insist the protest in the capital will remain peaceful. |
| The Status of Forces Agreement has been passed by the Iraqi cabinet, but still needs parliamentary approval. | The Status of Forces Agreement has been passed by the Iraqi cabinet, but still needs parliamentary approval. |
| A failure to ratify the agreement or renew the UN mandate might mean US military operations would have to be suspended. The UN mandate for the US-led coalition expires at the end of December. | A failure to ratify the agreement or renew the UN mandate might mean US military operations would have to be suspended. The UN mandate for the US-led coalition expires at the end of December. |
| The Iraqi parliament is expected to vote next week on the proposals, which have also been criticised by other groups. | The Iraqi parliament is expected to vote next week on the proposals, which have also been criticised by other groups. |
| 'Peaceful' | 'Peaceful' |
| The demonstration took place in Firdous Square, the scene of the toppling of a statue of Iraq's former leader, Saddam Hussein, five years ago. | The demonstration took place in Firdous Square, the scene of the toppling of a statue of Iraq's former leader, Saddam Hussein, five years ago. |
| Hundreds of Iraqi police searched everyone entering the square and US surveillance drones circled overhead. | Hundreds of Iraqi police searched everyone entering the square and US surveillance drones circled overhead. |
| Today is the day of Iraqi unity among Arabs, Kurds, all communities of Iraq, to reject the security pact Hazim al-ArajiAide to Moqtada Sadr class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7742004.stm">In pictures: Baghdad protests | |
| The BBC's Andrew North, who was at the protest, says people waved Iraqi flags, Shia banners and chanted anti-American slogans, and an effigy of US President George W Bush was attacked by the crowd. | The BBC's Andrew North, who was at the protest, says people waved Iraqi flags, Shia banners and chanted anti-American slogans, and an effigy of US President George W Bush was attacked by the crowd. |
| Joint prayers were held with many Sunni Muslims at the demonstration, our correspondent said. | Joint prayers were held with many Sunni Muslims at the demonstration, our correspondent said. |
| Moqtada Sadr did not attend the demonstration himself but a sermon of his was read out by a representative, Sheik Abdul-Hadi al-Mohammadawi. | Moqtada Sadr did not attend the demonstration himself but a sermon of his was read out by a representative, Sheik Abdul-Hadi al-Mohammadawi. |
| "Let the government know that America is and will not be of any use to us because it is the enemy of Islam," he said. | "Let the government know that America is and will not be of any use to us because it is the enemy of Islam," he said. |
| "The government must know that it is the people who help it in the good and the bad times. If it throws the occupier out, all the Iraqi people will stand by it." | "The government must know that it is the people who help it in the good and the bad times. If it throws the occupier out, all the Iraqi people will stand by it." |
| A senior aide to Moqtada Sadr said people were "coming out to prove the security pact is worthless". | A senior aide to Moqtada Sadr said people were "coming out to prove the security pact is worthless". |
| "Today is the day of Iraqi unity among Arabs, Kurds, all communities of Iraq, to reject the security pact," said Hazim al-Araji. | "Today is the day of Iraqi unity among Arabs, Kurds, all communities of Iraq, to reject the security pact," said Hazim al-Araji. |
| Mr Araji said the protest would "express rejection of the pact and the occupation," and that the crowds would remain "100%" peaceful. | Mr Araji said the protest would "express rejection of the pact and the occupation," and that the crowds would remain "100%" peaceful. |
| Under the forces agreement, US troops will withdraw from the streets of Iraqi towns and cities next year, with all 150,000 having left Iraq by the end of 2011. | Under the forces agreement, US troops will withdraw from the streets of Iraqi towns and cities next year, with all 150,000 having left Iraq by the end of 2011. |
| The UN mandate for the US-led coalition expires at the end of 2008 | The UN mandate for the US-led coalition expires at the end of 2008 |
| Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said the deal is "a solid prelude to the restoration of Iraq's full sovereignty in three years' time" and has insisted that it has no hidden clauses. | Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has said the deal is "a solid prelude to the restoration of Iraq's full sovereignty in three years' time" and has insisted that it has no hidden clauses. |
| Our correspondent says there is little chance that Moqtada Sadr's supporters can stop the agreement being passed. | Our correspondent says there is little chance that Moqtada Sadr's supporters can stop the agreement being passed. |
| The event is being seen by many as showing the continuing influence of the cleric, and that he is securing his position for when the Americans do eventually leave, our correspondent adds. | The event is being seen by many as showing the continuing influence of the cleric, and that he is securing his position for when the Americans do eventually leave, our correspondent adds. |
| About 144,000 of the 152,000 foreign troops deployed in Iraq are US military personnel. | About 144,000 of the 152,000 foreign troops deployed in Iraq are US military personnel. |
| Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Do you think the protests can stop the agreement being passed by the Iraqi parliament? Is the proposed deal the right solution to Iraq's stability? Send us your views using the form below: | Are you affected by the issues raised in this story? Do you think the protests can stop the agreement being passed by the Iraqi parliament? Is the proposed deal the right solution to Iraq's stability? Send us your views using the form below: |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |