Iraqis hold pro-government rally in Baghdad

Iraqis have once again staged a mass pro-government rally in the capital Baghdad to throw their weight behind Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s government.

Demonstrators gathered in Baghdad’s Liberation Square, chanting slogans in support of the premier on Saturday.

Activists hailed what they called the government’s anti-sectarian policies and a law that forbids former Ba’ath party members from taking office, saying it uproots Saddam Hussein’s legacy.

On Friday, Maliki supporters took to the streets in the holy city of Najaf and the southern city of Basra calling on authorities to resist demands to change anti-terror laws.

This is while anti-government protesters have also rallied in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq, demanding the repeal of anti-terror laws and release of prisoners.

Iraq has been the scene of anti-government demonstrations since December 23, 2012, 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 those laws.

On January 2, Maliki said Baghdad would use force to end the protests in Anbar Province, where protesters have blocked off a highway linking Iraq to Syria and Jordan. The Iraqi government says there are foreign agendas behind the protests.