Iraq PM Orders Arrest Of Parliament Protesters

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al Abadi has ordered the arrest of protesters who stormed parliament buildings in Baghdad.

Hundreds of supporters of Shia Muslim cleric Moqtada al Sadr broke through barricades of the heavily-fortified Green Zone in protest at the government's failure to stamp out corruption.

Police near the US embassy fired tear gas as protesters were seen attacking at least one MP and throwing objects at fleeing motorcades.

Mr Abadi said those who assaulted politicians and security forces and "vandalised state properties" should "receive their just punishment".

However, police were not taking action against protesters still inside the Green Zone on Sunday, perhaps in fear of repercussions from the powerful cleric's followers.

Many of Mr Sadr's supporters were content to take photographs of themselves in parliament, with some sitting in seats usually occupied by MPs.

"This is the first time I've been here since I came with my school under Saddam (Hussein)," said 32-year-old Yusef al Assadi, who took a selfie in front of the unknown soldier's monument.

"It's one of the most beautiful places to be in Baghdad. It should be for everyone, yet the people were not allowed here."

He said it was noticeable "how rich this place is. Here, there is air conditioning and electricity everywhere, but the people of Iraq suffer from power cuts all the time."

The protesters broke in on Saturday afternoon after MPs again failed to approve new ministers to replace the current party-affiliated cabinet.

Both Mr Abadi and Mr Sadr have called for the change, but powerful political parties that rely on control of ministries for funds have opposed the move.

"Even the most sectarian of Iraqis are seeing the failure of their leaders and their system," said Patrick Skinner, a former CIA case officer now working for The Soufan Group consultancy.

"The question might not be 'why now' as it relates to the anger, but 'why it took so long'. Their system is not working."

A state of emergency was declared in Baghdad after the protests.

The United Nations mission to Iraq said it was "gravely concerned" by the breach.

Mr Sadr's fighters once controlled large parts of Baghdad and helped defend the capital from Islamic State in 2014.