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Iraqi Shia protesters storm Baghdad parliament Iraqi Shia protesters storm Baghdad parliament
(35 minutes later)
Iraqi Shia activists have stormed parliament in protest against ongoing deadlock in approving a new cabinet.Iraqi Shia activists have stormed parliament in protest against ongoing deadlock in approving a new cabinet.
Hundreds of supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr broke through gates of the protected Green Zone after MPs again failed to convene for a vote.Hundreds of supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr broke through gates of the protected Green Zone after MPs again failed to convene for a vote.
The protesters are reported to have begun ransacking parliament buildings. A state of emergency has been declared in the Iraqi capital.
Mr Sadr wants Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to press ahead with a plan to replace ministers with non-partisan technocrats.Mr Sadr wants Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to press ahead with a plan to replace ministers with non-partisan technocrats.
Powerful parties in parliament have refused to approve the change for several weeks.Powerful parties in parliament have refused to approve the change for several weeks.
A protest outside the Green Zone escalated after parliament again failed to reach a quorum on Saturday, AFP news agency reports. Earlier this week, hundreds of thousands of people marched towards the Green Zone, the most secure part of Baghdad that houses embassies and government buildings, to protest against the political deadlock.
It said the protesters stopped lawmakers attempting to flee the building chanting, "the cowards ran away!" A new protest outside the zone escalated after parliament again failed to reach a quorum on Saturday, AFP news agency reports.
Groups marched on the district soon after the end of a televised appearance by Mr Sadr, although he did not call for the storming of parliament.
The protesters stopped lawmakers attempting to flee the building chanting, "The cowards ran away!" AFP reported.
The protesters are reported to have begun ransacking parliament buildings. United Nations and embassy staff were on lockdown inside their compounds, Reuters reported.
Iraq's system of sharing government jobs has long been criticised for promoting unqualified candidates and encouraging corruption.Iraq's system of sharing government jobs has long been criticised for promoting unqualified candidates and encouraging corruption.
Mr Abadi, who came to power in 2014, has promised to stamp out corruption and ease sectarian tensions - but he has failed to far to introduce a new technocratic cabinet.Mr Abadi, who came to power in 2014, has promised to stamp out corruption and ease sectarian tensions - but he has failed to far to introduce a new technocratic cabinet.
Who is Moqtada Sadr?
The Shia cleric and his militia group, the Mehdi Army, gained prominence after the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. galvanising anti-US sentiment.
Mr Sadr's followers clashed repeatedly with US forces, whose withdrawal the cleric consistently demanded.
An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Sadr in 2004 in connection with the murder of a rival cleric.
His militia was also blamed for the torture and killing of thousands of Sunnis in the sectarian carnage of 2006 and 2007. Mr Sadr fled to Iran during that period.
In 2011, Mr Sadr returned from his self-imposed exile to Iraq, taking a more conciliatory tone and calling for Iraqi unity and peace.