Iran Press/Middle East: The Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi said on Thursday night that although there is no "magic solution" to issues such as graft, unemployment, and corruption he would begin by passing a law for a basic income for poor families.
He also voiced his regret that the ongoing protests in the country have become violent, Iran Press reported.
Trying to solve people's issues, Abdul-Mahdi asked the parliament, where his coalition has the majority, to give him support so that he can rearrange the government to address people's needs.
The Iraqi premier also acknowledged the protesters’ call for an end to corruption, adding that it could only be achieved once the government is allowed to carry out its work.
Earlier on Thursday, Abdul-Mahdi's office issued a statement calling for talks with the protesters.
The statement said that he was prepared to hold talks with the "representatives of peaceful demonstrators to consider their rightful demands."
Several Iraqis said they had already received text messages from Abdul-Mahdi's office that included a hotline for them to call and air their grievances.
The Thursday protests were held in violation of a curfew that Prime Minister had declared in several cities after holding an emergency meeting with members of the National Security Council.
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Demonstrations called ‘October Protests’, which some unknown social media activists and groups had been inviting the people to take part for days erupted on Tuesday over what is said to be unemployment and poor public services.
The protests became violent as the demonstrators tried to breach into Baghdad's Green Zone, where government offices and foreign embassies are located. Dozens were injured in the process.
None of the famous political parties of Iraq like the Sadrist Movement, the Iraqi Communist Party, and the Islamic Front for the Iraqi Resistance, have joined the suspicious protest, which was called the ‘October Protests’.
Founder and leader of the Special Groups in Iraq Qais al-Khazali earlier said that the ‘October Protests’ are orchestrated from foreign countries and are in line with the US scheme ‘Peace of the Century’, adding that he has detailed information about the protests and it is aimed at overthrowing the political state in Iraq. 101/214
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