BAGHDAD: Iraq’s top Shiite cleric said on Friday that it was up to the security forces to make sure protests do not descend into further violence, and urged the government to respond to demonstrators’ demands as soon as possible.
“The biggest responsibility is on the security forces,” a representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani said in a sermon after Friday prayer in the Shiite Muslim holy city of Kerbala.
Sistani also warned against exploitation of unrest in Iraq by “internal and external” forces which seek to cause instability in the country.
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Iraq’s top Shiite cleric says security forces responsible for keeping protests peaceful
Iraq’s top Shiite cleric says security forces responsible for keeping protests peaceful
US reports constructive talks with Israel’s Netanyahu on Gaza plan
- Talks were held on Saturday
WASHINGTON: US officials’ discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the second phase of President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza were constructive, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on Sunday.
“The United States and Israel maintain a strong and longstanding relationship built on close coordination and shared priorities. The discussion was constructive and positive, with both sides aligned on next steps and the importance of continued cooperation on all matters critical to the region,” Witkoff said in an X post.
The talks were held on Saturday, he said.
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