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At Least 13 Injured In Iraqi Protest Power Shortages

June 21, 2010

At least 13 people have been injured in clashes between police and people protesting against power shortages in the southeastern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.

Some protesters threw stones at police who used tear gas and water cannon to try to disperse the crowds.

The injured included protesters as well as police.

Demonstrators were demanding the dismissal of Electricity Minister Karim Wahid and provincial officials.

Nasiriyah, like much of south and central Iraq, typically gets electricity for just one hour in five in temperatures that have been topping 50 degrees Celsius for days.

A similar protest was held on June 19 in the southern city of Al-Basrah, where an army commander says police opened fire on the crowd, killing one protester and wounding two.

compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/At_Least_13_Injured_In_Iraqi_Protest_Power_Shortages/2078095.html

Copyright (c) 2010. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.