Iraqis Set Fire to Iranian Consulate for Third Time

Protesters in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf have torched the Iranian consulate building there for the third time in a week as part of their ongoing anti-government demonstrations. The unrest began on October 1 over poor living conditions and allegations of widespread government corruption, but has since morphed into expressions of dissatisfaction over what is seen as undue Iranian influence over the country, especially its economy. According to a police official in Najaf – a holy city for Shi’ites and a place of pilgrimage for many Iranians – the demonstrators believe the consulate is used for spying. Meanwhile, Iraqi President Barham Salih has been meeting with key political factions to determine who will be given a mandate to form the country’s next governing coalition. Adel Abdul-Mahdi resigned as prime minister over the weekend following a spike in deaths among protesters. He remains on as head of a caretaker government.