Influential Iraqi Shiite cleric demands government reforms

Muqtada Al-Sadr’s demands come following PM al-Abadi’s call for a cabinet reshuffle

By AP 13 February 2016, 10:51 am

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Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr speaks during a press conference in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, Jan 1, 2013 (AP/Alaa Al-Marjani)

Iraq’s influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for the inclusion of more technocrats in government, and threatened to withdraw from the political process if his proposal was not accepted.

Al-Sadr spoke Saturday following Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s call for a Cabinet reshuffle this week in an effort to break the current deadlock after months of stalled progress on a proposed reform package.

Al-Abadi proposed the reforms following widespread protests in Iraq last summer demanding better services and an end to corruption.

Iraq is engaged in a humanitarian and security crisis that erupted as the Islamic State group swept across the country. It is now also battling a crippling economic crisis that threatens to further choke the government’s ability to provide basic domestic services.