Shiite demonstrators rally in support of al-Maliki's government

Shiite demonstrators are taking to the streets in Iraq's capital to show support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's government, which has been facing angry protests in Sunni provinces.    

About 2,000 people gathered in downtown Baghdad, some holding pictures of the Shiite prime minister.     

They reject Sunni calls to abolish a tough anti-terrorism law and another law banning former members of the disbanded Baath party from holding government jobs.    

"We have come here today to support the Iraqi government and discard sectarian sedition as well as to make clear that our demand in this protest is not to cancel the anti-terrorism law and the deba'athifcation law," said demonstrator Baqir Mohamed.     

Deba'athification refers to the political dismantling of former Sunni President Saddam Hussein's ruling Ba'ath party.   

Iraqi security forces have imposed tight security measures around the rally. All roads leading to it were blocked off.      

Members of Iraq's Sunni minority have been holding large demonstration for the past three weeks to protest what they call discrimination by the Shiite-led government.


APTN