Washington calls for calm and abstain from violence

The US Embassy in Baghdad called on Iraqi political forces on Saturday to remain calm and abstain from violence following demonstrations in Baghdad's Green Zone.

"We are closely monitoring the unrest in Baghdad today and are concerned by reports of violence.  The right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression is enshrined in the Iraqi constitution," the US Embassy said in a statement.

"We join the call by parties across the Iraqi political spectrum to remain calm, abstain from violence, and resolve their political differences through a peaceful process guided by the Iraqi constitution," it added.



PUKmedia