Iraq’s Sadrists Told to Quit Parliament but Keep Protesting

Supporters of Iraqi cleric Moqtada al-Sadr chant slogans during their sit-in at Iraq's parliament to protest a rival bloc's nomination for prime minister, in the capital Baghdad's high-security Green Zone, on August 2, 2022. (AFP)

A top official from Iraq's Sadrist movement called Tuesday on followers who have occupied parliament for four days to move their protest outside, as calls mount for dialogue between political rivals.

Supporters of powerful cleric Moqtada al-Sadr -- whose political bloc in October won the largest share of seats in elections -- stormed parliament on Saturday to protest against a rival Shiite faction's pick for prime minister.