Moqtada Al Sadr calls for action against Iraq protests

The populist Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr on Sunday ordered his followers to help security forces clear roads blocked by protesters, signalling a withdrawal of support for months-long anti-government demonstrations after the appointment of a new prime minister. In a statement published on his Twitter account, Mr Al Sadr also urged his supporters to work with authorities to ensure schools and businesses could operate normally again. "I advise the security forces to stop anyone from cutting off roads and the ministry of education should punish those who obstruct regular working hours, be they students, teachers or others," he said. Supporters of the cleric swarmed into the main...