Followers of radical cleric Sadr protest Iraq fuel shortages

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050116/wl_mideast_afp/iraqvoteshiitesadrdemo&cid=1514&ncid=1480

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The followers of the fiery cleric, some of whom were bused from other cities in Iraq (news - web sites)'s Shiite heartland for the demonstration at the oil ministry, carried posters of Sadr and banners urging the government to improve their living conditions.


"The demonstration we are holding here today is aimed at showing what the mood of the Iraqi people is," said Sheikh Malek al-Kinani, who heads the Sadr office in the Baghdad neighbourhood of Kakh.


"It is very disturbing to see politicians only interested in elections. Instead they should be focusing on meeting the basic needs of the people," he told AFP on Sunday.


The demonstrators, some of whom were oil workers wearing orange jumpsuits and carrying lanterns, shouted slogans in front of the heavily guarded ministry until officials promised to organise meetings and study their requests.



Supporters of radical Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr demonstrate outside the oil ministry in Baghdad. Hundreds of Sadr's supporters joined a protest against fuel and electricity shortages in the violence-wracked country.(AFP/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)