Sadrists gather amid strict security measures

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Thousands of citizens began pouring into Sadr City, in the center of Baghdad, in preparation for the demonstration called by the Sadrist Trend after Firday’s mid-day prayers.   Security measures were taken with the participation of the Mehdi Army for searching the people joining the demonstration.   Al-Ahrar Bloc spokesman Mushriq Naji, affiliated with the Sadrist Trend, announced that the demonstration, called for by the Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr, aims to press the government to implement Sadr’s demands.   The Sadrist demands concentrated on the departure of occupation forces in time at the end of this year, development and better social conditions, better services and allocating a percentage of oil revenues to be distributed on the people.   RM (TS)/SR 256