Iraqis block roads as president prepares new electoral law

More than 250 people have been killed since the protests in Baghdad and the south of the country started in early October

Demonstrators set fire in front of the Iranian consulate, as they gather during ongoing anti-government protests in Kerbala, Iraq November 3, 2019. Reuters

An Iraqi protester waves the Iraqi national flag as he stands on a concrete wall at the Iranian counsulate in Karbala, Iraq, 03 November 2019. EPA

Iraqi protesters throw stones towards the Iranian counsulate during a protest in Karbala, Iraq, 03 November 2019. EPA

Iraqi demonstrators inside the Turkish Restaurant Building. Reuters

Iraqi women take part in anti-government protests in Tahrir Square, Baghdad. AP

Iraqi demonstrators climb inside the high-rise Turkish Restaurant Building. Reuters

Iraqi demonstrators use blankets to supply food to their fellows inside the high-rise building. REUTERS

Iraqi protesters inside the Turkish Restaurant Building. Reuters

Volunteers clean the site of the protest near the Basra provincial council building during protests in the city. AP

Music school students take part in the protests near the Basra provincial council building. AP

Iraqi Shiite clerics take part in anti-government demonstrations in Karbala city. AFP

An Iraqi woman takes part in the anti-government protests in Baghdad. AP

Protesters in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, during the anti-government protests. AP

Anti-government protesters stand on barriers set up by Iraqi security to close the Joumhouriya bridge leading to the Green Zone government areas in Baghdad. AP Photo

Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, visits Tahrir Square in Baghdad. AP

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi appealed to protesters on Sunday to help restore normal life across the country and said the unrest was costing the economy "billions of dollars".

In statement published on Sunday evening, Abdul Mahdi said the protests which “shook the political system” have achieved their purpose and must stop effecting the country’s trade and economic activities.

"Threatening the oil interests and blocking roads leading to Iraq's ports is causing big losses exceeding billions of dollars," said Abdul Mahdi, warning that unrest was pushing up prices of goods.

Operations at Iraq's main Gulf port, Umm Qasr, near the oil-rich city of Basra, which receives the bulk of Iraq's imports of grain, vegetable oils and sugar, have been at a complete standstill since Wednesday.

Protesters blocked roads with barbed wire and burning tyres on Sunday to keep up pressure on the government to resign after weeks of mass demonstrations.

They held up banners reading: "Roads closed by order of the people."

The unloading of rice and other food at Umm Qasr was delayed after people blocked all roads leading to the port near the southern city of Basra, Trade Minister Mohammed Al Ani said.

Protesters imposed the blockade on Saturday after security forces used live rounds and tear gas overnight. They also called for a general strike from Sunday.

Dozens of protesters attacked the Iranian consulate in Karbala on Sunday, scaling the concrete barriers ringing the building, bringing down an Iranian flag and replacing it with the Iraqi flag, eyewitnesses said.

Security forces fired in the air to disperse the crowds, who threw stones and burned tires around the building on a street corner in Karbala south of Baghdad. There were no immediate reports of casualties in the incident, which comes amid ongoing protests in the capital Baghdad and majority-Shiite provinces in the south.

Joumhouriya bridge in Baghdad on Sunday. AP

Since the start of October tens of thousands of people have gathered in Baghdad's Tahrir Square and in cities across southern Iraq to demand the resignation of the government and an end to the political system established after the 2003 US-led invasion.

The protests have grown despite an Iraqi official announcing last week that Mr Abdul Mahdi was willing to resign when political leaders agreed on a replacement.

The prime minister met security officials late on Saturday and stressed the need to preserve peace and the safety of the protesters.

A new electoral law called for by President Barham Salih before elections can be called will be put to legislators this week.

An Iraqi demonstrator uses a sling shot during the ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq November 3, 2019. Reuters

"A draft electoral law will be submitted to Parliament this week, which will respect the view of voters and achieve justice," Mr Salih's office said on Twitter.

It said he met representatives of trade unions and civil groups, and "heard their demands and views on the protest movement".

The process of elections and forming a new government could take several months.

Most of the protesters are under the age of 30 and have grown up in the era after long-time dictator Saddam Hussein was toppled in the 2003 invasion.

They are angry at the government's failure to end corruption and provide them with public services and job opportunities.

The protests have been met with violence from security forces and officially recognised Iran-backed militias known as the Hashed Al Shaabi.

More than 250 protesters have been killed and thousands injured since the demonstrations began on October 1.

The Iraqi Human Rights Commission said on Sunday that Saba Al Mahdawi, a doctor and activist, was kidnapped on Saturday night after treating protesters in Baghdad.

It called on security forces to investigate the matter and other recent kidnappings.

Dr Al Mahdawi's mother pleaded for authorities to help bring her daughter home safely in a video posted on social media.

“Yesterday night my daughter was kidnapped, about 11.20pm. I don’t know where to she was taken from," her mother said.

She said her daughter did not have any political affiliation.

Dr Al Mahdawi and her friends decided to form a group to help provide assistance to the protesters, her mother said.

“I’m urging the government, officials and those in power to help me and my daughter,” she said.

Women are always the first targets of extremists during times of protests and conflict, said Rasha Al Aqeedi, editor-in-charge of the Irfaa Sawtak news outlet.

“Saba was kidnapped in Baghdad shortly after she left Tahrir Square while on her way home," Al Aqeedi said. "Intimidating others in hopes of killing the vibe is the goal."

The Iraqi government must do all it can to assure Dr Al Mahdawi's safe return home, she said.

Iraq ranks 168 out of 180 countries for the perception of corruption, Transparency International says.

Despite Iraq’s immense oil wealth, one in five people live under the poverty line.

Since 2003, Baghdad and other cities experience frequent power cuts, high rates of unemployment, and a crumbling education system and infrastructure.

Few Iraqis receive the benefits of the country's oil wealth.