Iran Press/ Middle East: Brigadier General Abdul Karim Khalaf told a news conference on Monday: "The continuation of peaceful public demonstrations as long as it is free from violence is no obstacle."
Khalaf said intelligence agencies are taking steps to identify and arrest gunmen.
"The Iraqi Armed Forces will not allow the destructive acts to harm Iraqi citizens," he said.
"These forces are tasked with protecting vital and political institutions and have no role in ending the demonstrations," the Iraqi official said, referring to the deployment of Counterterrorism forces in some Iraqi cities.
A number of Iraqi provinces have witnessed demonstrations in recent weeks, protesting the inadequate public service situation, lack of job opportunities and corruption, but the protests have turned violent in recent days and dozens have been killed and injured.
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