Demonstrators head for Baghdad’s al-Tahrir square

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Dozens of protestors started to head for al-Tahrir square in central Baghdad despite a ban on vehicles and bikes in the city in response to calls from social websites and civil society organizations against bad services and corruption. The organizers have used Facebook, Twitter and websites to circulate invitations for demonstrations on February 25, calling them the “Iraqi revolution.” A Facebook page called “The Iraqi Revolution” includes still pictures and videos of previous demonstrations in Iraq and claims nearly 20,000 supporters. On Tuesday evening, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh and Baghdad military operation spokesman Gen. Qassim Atta held a joint news conference regarding the planned demonstrations. “The Iraqi government welcomes any demonstration by Iraqi people as long as it’s a peaceful demonstration,” said Al-Dabbagh. However Atta warned Friday’s protesters that there could be possible attacks against them. “Based on our intelligence information, al-Qaeda terrorists, former Baathists and other terrorist groups are planning to attack protesters on Friday by car bombs, suicide bombers and pistols equipped with silencers,” Atta said in the news conference, which was broadcast on Iraqiya state television. The Iraqi government was formed in December, nine months after an inconclusive national election. This is the second elected government in the nearly eight years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein. SH (TS) 720