Iraqi justice minister hails 'great efforts' of government but protests rage on

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urges Iraq's prime minister to immediately address protesters' demands

Iraqis demonstrate outside the Basra Governorate's building in the southern city of Basra. The United Nations' top official in Iraq and the country's most senior cleric urged authorities to get "serious" about reforms after anti-government demonstrations that have left hundreds dead. AFP

Iraqi security forces monitor a protest outside the Basra Governorate's building in the southern city of Basra. AFP

Iraqi security forces fire tear gas during clashes with anti-government protesters, in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo

Iraqi protesters clash with Iraqi security forces at Baghdad's Khallani square during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. . AFP

Anti-government protesters run for cover while security forces fire live ammunition in the air to disperse protesters, during ongoing protests, in Khilani Square, Iraq. AP Photo

Anti-government protesters sit-in on barriers set up by security forces to close a bridge leading to the Green Zone government areas during ongoing protests, in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo

Iraqi protesters clash with Iraqi security forces at Baghdad's Khallani square during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. AFP

Anti-government protesters sit-in on the bank of the Tigris river during ongoing protests, in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo

Security forces fire tear gas and smoke bombs during clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo

Anti-government protesters gather during ongoing demonstrations, in downtown Baghdad Iraq. AP Photo

Iraq has made "great efforts" in investigating attacks against demonstrators, its minister of justice said on Tuesday as teachers announced a general strike to try to revive the mass protest movement.

At least 319 people have been killed since the protests against political corruption, unemployment and poor public services began on October 1.

“We deeply regret the number of people killed and we reject the excessive violence used on protesters,” Farouq Othman said.

Iraqi leaders vowed to hold accountable those who used excessive forces against civilians, but protesters made it clear that officials were not serious about bringing in reforms.

They said the demonstrations would continue until they saw solid changes.

On Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and urged him to take "immediate steps to address the protesters' legitimate grievances".

Mr Pompeo called on Mr Abdul Mahdi to enact reforms and tackle corruption, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

"The Secretary deplored the death toll among the protesters as a result of the government of Iraq's crackdown and use of lethal force," Ms Ortagus said.

"Secretary Pompeo emphasised that peaceful public demonstrations are a fundamental element of all democracies."

In Baghdad, schoolchildren skipped class on Tuesday and moved towards the main protest area of Tahrir Square.

“Our country is more dear to me than my only child,” read a sign hanging inside the square.

Hundreds of people also took to the streets in the southern city of Kut on Tuesday, shutting down schools and public offices to voice their anger at the government.

Most of the schools in the south were closed on Tuesday while government offices reduced their working hours.

New reforms

Iraqi President Barham Salih submitted a draft electoral law to the government on Monday.

The draft called for a 30 per cent reduction in the number of parliamentary seats, from 329 to 222, and an increase in the number of voting districts.

The reforms include lowering the minimum age of candidates from 30 to 25 years.

Political appointees on Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission would be replaced by technocrats and judges.

The draft also stipulates that electoral reforms should allow more young people to take part in politics, to break the political cycle that has prevailed since 2003.

It remains to be seen whether these changes will calm public anger.

But Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani, cast doubt on the pledges made by officials.

“His eminence made clear the importance of enacting serious reform within a reasonable time frame,” his office said on Monday.

Mr Al Sistani urged said protesters should not go home until concrete steps had been shown to address their demands.

He only speaks on politics during times of crisis and has enormous influence over public opinion.

Mr Al Sistani met the UN’s top envoy to Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, in the city of Najaf to discuss a path to end the protests and list a series of reforms.

“The marjaiyah [Mr Al Sistani's authority] made it clear that it supports the conduct of serious reforms in a reasonable period of time," Ms Hennis-Plasschaert said.

"Within that context, it welcomes the proposals of the UN, including the proposal for one consolidated electoral framework."

She said the UN would monitor the government's progress to ensure measures were being "done promptly, swiftly and decisively because this country needs to move forward".