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IRAQ LIVE: Rioting over Living Conditions, Alleged Corruption Rocks Iraq (VIDEO REPORT)

Follow daily reports from The Media Line’s Mideast bureau chief, Mohammad Al-Kassim

[Transcript] Another day of deadly violence here in Iraq as thousands of angry demonstrators poured into the streets of the capital Baghdad, as well as other cities. At least eight people are dead and hundreds more have been wounded in violent clashes as police use live ammunition to disperse the crowds. Iraqis say they are protesting a lack of jobs, high unemployment, poor services and corruption. In the meantime, a curfew is being imposed in the capital and elsewhere. Internet has been restricted, and security forces have set up many checkpoints leading to the capital. Of course, the UN and the Iraqi government have called for calm. Iraqi officials have admitted that the protesters’ grievances are legitimate, but that does not satisfy the demonstrators. The protesters reject any accusations that they are out on the orders of politicians and political parties. They tell us that they took to the streets because of the deteriorating economic situation.  Many of those out are unemployed, post-graduates and people who cannot find jobs.  Security here in Iraq is on high alert in the capital and anywhere else where there are protests. From Erbil, Mohammad Al-Kassim, reporting for The Media Line.