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Supporters of the Shia cleric al-Sadr in the Iraqi parliament in Baghdad
Photo: Ali Jabar / dpa
Demonstrators have gained access to parliament in Iraq's capital, Baghdad.
Shortly before, the crowd had stormed the highly secured green zone, as reported by the Iraqi state news agency INA.
According to eyewitnesses, security forces first tried to disperse the crowd.
There were also reports of injuries.
Television images and photos showed people waving the Iraqi flag in parliament.
Thousands of supporters of the influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr had previously gathered at the high-security zone, which houses parliament and many embassies.
Among other things, they demonstrated against the nomination of former minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for the post of prime minister.
This was proposed by a party alliance that sympathizes with neighboring Iran.
A power struggle has been raging in Iraq since the parliamentary elections last October.
Al-Sadr's list won the most seats.
The cleric tried to form a government, but in the end he withdrew from parliament with members of his party.
Prime Minister calls on demonstrators to retreat
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi and the supreme commander of the armed forces called on the demonstrators to immediately withdraw from parliament and the Green Zone.
Al-Sadr also called for a retreat.
He wrote on Twitter that the protest was a sign of rejection of injustice and corruption.
"Your message has arrived," said the priest.
In the evening, eyewitnesses reported a gradual withdrawal of the crowd from the secured zone.
According to experts, al-Sadr's particular strength lies in his ability to mobilize crowds.
Some observers therefore interpreted his withdrawal from politics as a move to put parties and politicians under pressure.
Many Iraqis now have little faith in politics after the oil-rich country has been struggling with economic and political crises for years.
kko/dpa