An influential Iraqi Shiite cleric whose political coalition came in first in last year's national elections says he's suspending participation in parliament activities until the government introduces a program that serves Iraqi aspirations.
Muqtada al-Sadr has asked members of his parliament bloc to boycott sessions until the government issues a program acceptable to the people.
Al-Sadr's Sairoon electoral list won the largest single bloc of seats in parliament elections last year. The bloc has 54 seats in the 329-member parliament.
The move comes after Iraq's top Shiite authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, blamed lawmakers for failing to enact reforms and eradicate corruption.
Sairoon block secured majority in the parliament with 54 seats out of 329 in the country's parliamentary polls held in 2018.
At least 42 people have been killed and some 2,500 others injured since the anti-government protests erupted throughout Iraq on Tuesday.
Protesters have been demanding improvement in living conditions and an end to corruption. Security forces have reportedly opened fire on protesters to disperse them, causing mass casualties.
