Iraq PM Mahdi meets US army commander over withdrawal of foreign forces
More than 5,000 US troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against Islamic State militants.
More than 5,000 US troops have been deployed in Iraq to support the Iraqi forces in the battles against Islamic State militants.
The 65-year-old Allawi held the post of Communications Minister in the government of Nouri al-Maliki before quitting in 2012 over what he described as "political interference" by the then-Prime Minister.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei swiftly pledged to take "severe revenge" for Soleimani's assassination.
As in the rest of the Arab world in 2011, Iraqis are protesting against the country’s faltering political system, largely established by the US and its allies after the 2003 invasion which toppled Saddam Hussein.
Up to 200,000 people had taken part in the demonstrations, led by a largely disenfranchised working class and joined by sections of the middle classes.
The government has made every effort to respond to the demands of the demonstrators by providing packages of reform, the statement further added.
The curfew reduction is intended to give more time for the protesters to return home, the statement said.
Security force members were among the causalities, the interior ministry said, while denying that police have used live ammunition against protesters.
"Most of the casualties occurred as a result of gunshot wounds, tear gas and rubber bullets," the statement further said.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister declared the curfew in Baghdad until further notice after two days of violent protests in the capital as well as in central and southern provinces.
