Thousands of people gathered on Baghdad's Tahrir Square on Friday for an anti-government demonstration, a RIA Novosti correspondent has reported.
The rally, coined a "Day of Regret," is one of many across the country today as Iraqis have come out for the second Friday in a row to demand better pay and public services and an end to corruption.
A complete ban on vehicles and bicycles was put in place in Baghdad, as well as in the northern cities of Mosul and Kirkuk, and the southern city of Basra on Thursday.
Our correspondent says streets leading to Tahrir Square are blocked by troops and security vehicles.
Crowds of demonstrators are reportedly becoming larger following Friday's prayers.
At least 16 people were killed last Friday when mass protests hit 17 cities and towns across the country, forcing the resignation of three provincial governors and Baghdad's mayor, as well as pressing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki into giving his cabinet 100 days to draw up reforms.
BAGHDAD, March 4 (RIA Novosti)
