Iraq’s Al Sadr meets UN envoy as supporters gather in Baghdad in show of strength

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said discussions involved 'finding a solution' to growing political crisis

Followers of Shiite cleric and political leader Moqtada Al Sadr gather for mass prayers inside Baghdad's Green Zone. AP

Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Moqtada Al Sadr met UN special representative to Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Friday, amid an escalating political crisis in the country.

This came as hundreds of thousands of Mr Al Sadr's supporters gathered in Baghdad for Friday prayers in a show of strength.

“It was a great honour to speak with him again in person, and to discuss the importance of finding solutions to the many challenges facing Iraq,” Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said, after meeting Mr Al Sadr at his home in the city of Najaf, in central Iraq.

On Wednesday, Mr Al Sadr had instructed his followers to carry on with their protest sit-in at Iraq's Parliament, in Baghdad's Green Zone, the heavily fortified central area that houses government buildings and foreign embassies.

Mr Al Sadr also called for new elections, the dissolution of Parliament and amendments to the constitution.

Iraq's political processes have been in deadlock since a general election last October, with parties unable to agree on forming a new government.

The Sadrists had the largest bloc in Parliament until it resigned en masse in June, on the orders of Mr Al Sadr, who said he would not take part in a corrupt political process.

Hundreds of thousands of supporters from across Iraq reportedly heeded Mr Al Sadr's call to gather in the capital on Friday, as temperatures reached 48°C, for a mass prayer.

Followers congregated at Victory Arch, a monument erected during Saddam Hussein’s regime to commemorate the Iran-Iraq war.

Farid Jaafar, 16, arrived from the central province of Babylon to show his support for Mr Al Sadr. His transport was paid by Mr Al Sadr’s party. “I love Moqtada,” he said.

Followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr hold a sit-in protest in Baghdad, Iraq. AP

Mr Al Sadr told his followers to continue their sit-in protest inside Iraq's government zone. Reuters

The influential Shiite cleric, whose bloc won the highest number of seats in Iraq's elections last year, called for the dissolution of the parliament and early elections. Reuters

Iraqis whip themselves with chains during the Ashura commemoration period outside the Iraqi parliament, as Mr Al Sadr's supporters occupy the building for a fifth consecutive day. AFP

Ashura, which is usually observed on the streets and around revered shrines, is taking place in the entrance hall of Baghdad's parliament this year. AFP

A Iraqi toddler holds the country's flag inside the parliament building. AFP

Mr Al Sadr wants to change the system for selecting a new prime minister and has called for a revision of the constitution, which was adopted two years after the US-led invasion in 2003. AFP

Mr Al Sadr's followers rest inside the parliament building during the protest. AP

Supporters of a political alliance of Iran-backed groups attempt to storm government areas in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. AP

Supporters of the Shiite Co-ordination Framework take part in a counter-protest against Al Sadr loyalists outside the Green Zone. AFP

Iraqi security forces spray water on Co-ordination Framework supporters to prevent them from storming government areas in the Green Zone. AP

Co-ordination Framework supporters attempt to storm government areas in the Green Zone in Baghdad. AP

Security forces managed to avoid escalation while holding protesters back, after the Iraqi prime minister ordered them to refrain from using live bullets. AP

Mr Al Sadr's supporters chant pro-peace slogans during a protest in Basra, Iraq. AP

Thousands of Mr Al Sadr supporters breached the Green Zone on Saturday to protest against the Co-ordination Framework's candidate for the post of prime minister. EPA

The Co-ordination Framework called for counter-protests on Monday near parliament, raising fears of possible clashes. EPA

Iraqi security forces stand guard as Mr Al Sadr's supporters gather in front of the parliament building in Baghdad. EPA

Security forces use water cannon to prevent supporters of the Co-ordination Framework from entering the Green Zone. AFP

Holding the prayer within the Green Zone, which is closed off to most Iraqis, indicates Mr Al Sadr's power and influence.

Last Saturday, thousands of his followers stormed parliament in a bid to derail attempts by Shiite rivals to form a government. About 100 protesters and 25 members of the security forces were injured in clashes.

Mr Al Sadr’s followers occupied Parliament for four days, until he ordered them to withdraw from the building, but maintain a sit-in nearby.

Some Shiite rivals in the Iran-backed Coordination Framework have said they would consider holding new elections in the event of a national consensus.