Fugitive Saddam deputy calls for more protests against Maleki

The fugitive deputy of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has called for more anti-government protests against the country’s prime minister.

In a video aired by the Saudi Channel Al Arabiya on Saturday, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri encouraged protesters to stand their ground until the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki is toppled.

The fugitive Douri, who was once Iraq’s second most powerful man and heads Saddam’s Ba’ath party, said he is in Iraq’s Babil governorate to support the opponents of the government

Douri’s re-appearance comes only one day after Maleki warned that al-Qaeda and the remnants of the former Ba’ath regime are trying to instigate violence by infiltrating demonstrations.

Iraq has been the scene of anti-government demonstrations since December 23 when the bodyguards of Finance Minister Rafie al-Issawi were arrested on terrorism-related charges.

Demonstrators allege that the arrests were made on sectarian grounds and demand an end to anti-terrorism laws, but the government says it is up to the parliament to decide on abolishing such laws.

On Friday, anti-government protests took place in several Iraqi cities, including Salahuddin, Diyala, Kirkuk, and Nineveh Provinces, while demonstrators in the western Anbar Province continued to block off a highway linking Iraq to Syria and Jordan for a 12th successive day.

On Wednesday, Maleki said Baghdad would use force to end protests in Anbar. The Iraqi government says there are foreign agendas behind the protests.

“I warn you against continuing [to block the highway] because this is against the Iraqi constitution. We have been very patient with you,” Maleki said.