Abadi announces 'solution package' amid protests

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Sunday announced 10,000 civil servants would be appointed in Basra province, which has been hit by week-long protests over poor living standards.

Abadi also instructed officials to find urgent solutions to water deficiency and power cuts in the city, which are other reasons for the protests.

Prominent Shia cleric Ali al-Sistani had recently said that he favored the demonstrations which erupted in Basra and called on the government to take necessary steps toward the demands of protesters.

The residents of Iraq's oil-rich province Basra, on July 8, hit the streets. The demonstrations quickly spread to Ziqar, Babylon, Maysan, Diwaniyah and capital Baghdad.

*Ali Murat Alhas contributed to this report from Ankara