Thousands rally in Baghdad defying government ban

Thousands of Iraqis rallied in the heart of Baghdad on Friday to demand an end to sectarianism and corruption in government.

Speakers led the protesters in chanting slogans including: "Yes, yes to reform," "No, no to sectarianism" and "No, no to corruption."

Demonstrators defied warnings from Iraqi security forces who urged protesters to stay away, labelling the demonstration as "unauthorised."

In a statement issued on the eve of the planned demonstration, the Joint Operations Command said anyone who appeared with weapons would be dealt with "as a terrorist threat."

Protesters were repeatedly searched by organisers on the way to the demonstration, and strands of barbed wire kept them away from the bridge across the Tigris River that they had previously used to reach the Green Zone, the seat of the Iraqi government and key foreign embassies.

Powerful Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who called for demonstrations to be held in Baghdad's Tahrir Square to push the government into making reforms, made a brief appearance at the rally.

The protests came following a multi-week break during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan

The protests came following a multi-week break during the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Although demonstrations had been largely peaceful, protesters broke into Baghdad's fortified Green Zone area in April.

Sadr has called for a government of technocrats to replace the current party-affiliated ministers - a measure proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi - and has organised demonstrations calling for that change.

Abadi first called for a cabinet including technocrats in February, but has faced significant opposition from powerful political forces that rely on control of ministries for patronage and funds.

Some of Abadi's cabinet nominees were approved in April, but in a blow to the premier, a court later scrapped the session, from which some lawmakers who sought to disrupt it were barred from attending.

Agencies contributed to this report.