Iraq: Baghdad council elects new governor

By Ali Jawad

Baghdad (AA) – The Baghdad Provincial Council on Monday elected a new governor, one week after his predecessor was sacked over protests in the Iraqi capital.

Mohammed Jaber al-Atta will replace Falah al-Jazairi, who was removed from his post by the 58-member council last week amid demonstrations against high unemployment and government corruption.

More than 100 people were killed and thousands injured in the protests that swept Baghdad and southern provinces, according to the Iraqi Health Ministry.

Al-Atta is a member of the "State of Law" coalition, led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Discontent has been growing in Iraq in recent years due to rising unemployment and rampant corruption. Many in the country have limited access to basic services such as electricity and clean water, and unemployment is around 10%.

* Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara