Iraqis protest against the presence of U.S. troops

Radical imam Moqtada al-Sadr supporters demonstrate troops Saturday in Baghdad against the US presence in Iraq.Protesters want us troops outGates raises the prospect of some remainingThere soldiers were demonstrations throughout the Friday Iraq

Baghdad (CNN) , tens of thousands of demonstrators in Baghdad marked the eighth anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime with a protest Saturday against the presence of American troops.

The demonstrators, followers of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, rally around Mustansriya Square, where they called us all the troops of is to withdraw from Iraq at the end of the year.

The demonstrators carried the Iraqi flag and banners, with some chanting "Baghdad is a free country, America get out!" and "not for" Occupation, not for America.

One banner read "no, not America," while another said: "Yes, Yes for Koran."

US troops are scheduled to depart from the Iraq end of the year under a bilateral agreement between the Iraqi Government and the United States.

But if increases in violence and instability persists in Iraq, it is possible that the two countries could agree to maintain US troops in Iraq, which has now approximately 47,000 US soldiers. The figure is down from a peak of 171 000 in 2003.

This prospect of US troops in Iraq disrupts many citizens, including thousands who support al-Sadr, a religious appeal of base in the cities and neighbourhoods in Iraq.

Sheikh Salah al-Obaidi, a cleric who has read a statement by demonstrators on behalf of al-Sadr, raised the possibility of US troops remain in Iraq, in the next year and beyond.

"If the invasion forces decide not to leave our country." What happens if they decide to stay? What happens if the US and other troops decide to remain in our land? .... You keep silent? "Al-Obaidi said, Declaration of reading al-Sadr singing of"God is great.""

"If they decide to stay in our country, while we have to do two things: first is to climb the armed resistance and lift the freeze on the Mehdi Army," al-Obaidi said. "".

He was referring to the suspension of August 2007 of the activities of the army of Mehdi, al-Sadr militia.

US military commanders have cited this move as of the main reasons for a decline in violence throughout the Iraq, where the forces of Al-Sadr fought US troops at the height of the war.

Emotions in the street was fuelled by the remarks of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who made an unannounced visit this week to the Iraq and the presence of US troops discussed with senior officials, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"My message to them was if there must be a presence or they still need help, we are open to that possibility." But it will have to ask, and the clock is ticking in Washington because we have many ongoing around the world and we offer you to make decisions, "Gates said.

"It would obviously be a presence that is a fraction of the size of that which we have here now, but it's really up to the Iraqis at this time."

Friday, the demonstrators in Baghdad and other provinces also focused on the fall of the regime Hussein and grievances arising from the war, including opposition to the US troops presence.

It is a change of theme in recent weeks, when Iraq demonstrators rallied on the same issues are considering that sparked demonstrations across the Arab world.

People were upset about corruption, unemployment, lack of basic services and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Demonstrators in the Sunni district of Adhamiya called for the release of the detainees and compensation for the "victims of the occupation."

"Some of the shouting demonstrators, no to occupation, step of foreign troops," witnesses said.

To place Baghdad Tahrir, about 300 demonstrators carrying banners and Iraqi flags, shouted, "we do not accept life in an occupied country anymore.".

One of the banners read, "Non-American and Iranian occupation." This includes a reference to the Shiite influence of the Iran with the masses and the Government of Iraq.

Women in pictures of their sons and husbands, who have disappeared or were killed during the war.

"In this war, so many women lost son and many others have become widows, only Iraqi step but also American women." "We are those who have paid the price of this war," said Shima Kareem, who was among the demonstrators.

Also proven hundreds in Fallujah, in the largely Sunni province of Anbar in the West and Samarra, in the province of Salahuddin in the North to demand the release of the detainees, compensation for the families of the victims and the departure of US troops.

Since 2003, 4,421 US troops have died in Iraq, according to military figures counted by CNN.

An invasion of the Iraq by the United States in March 2003 has led to the removal of Saddam Hussein's regime on April 9. The iconic reversal of the statue of the former leader Firdous in Baghdad place symbolizes the fall of the regime.

View the original article here