Iraq: Tahrir Square protesters warn of escalation

BAGHDAD, Iraq

The Iraqi protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir square threatened Thursday of more escalating steps in case the prime minister to be assigned comes against their conditions.

According to a statement issued by the Tahrir Square-based activists, they warned the Iraqi parliament's political blocs of selecting a prime minister who may fail to meet the aspirations of the protesters.

The statement said that what's happening behind the scenes doesn't reflect the seriousness of the political class in addressing the Iraqi people's demands.

The protesters also demanded the Iraqi President Barham Saleh nominate an independent premier for a six-month transitional period to pave the way for fair elections based on the Iraqi elections law.

Iraq has been roiled by mass protests since early October over poor living conditions and corruption, forcing Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi to resign.

According to Iraq's High Commission for Human Rights, at least 496 Iraqis have been killed and 17,000 have been injured since the protests began on Oct. 1.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara