Opposition leaders in a meeting in Sulaimani. Photo Rudaw.
ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan -- The three main opposition groups met in Sulaimani today and announced in a joint statement that they will remain persistent to achieving reform.
The Gorran movement, Islamic Union and Islamic Group announced, “We will continue our work until we achieve grassroots reform and have the demands of people answered.”
Leaders of the opposition condemned the forceful scattering of protesters from Sulaimani’s main square and the arrest and torture of university professors, religious scholars and civilians by security forces last week.
At the end of their meeting, the opposition leaders said that the authorities can deal with people’s anger either by resorting to the use of force and repression of the masses or by a real understanding of their demands and work to bring genuine change.
“We hope that the ruling parties choose the second option,” read the opposition statement. “Because that is where the current and future interest of our nation lies and that is what their political, national, legal and moral responsibility expects of them.”
In terms of the resumption of talks with the authorities, the opposition expressed through their media that the current tensions must end before talks could have any real meaning.
Kurdistan president’s press secretary Faisal Dabbagh said that the president is ready to meet with the opposition to solve the situation.
“If the three opposition parties intend to pacify the situation, the president has no objection to meet with their leaders.” said Dabbagh.
Since last week Sulaimani that was the center of protests in Iraqi Kurdistan has been under heavy control of security forces. The streets remain calm but visibly tense.
With demonstrations having come to an end all eyes seem to turn towards negotiations between the authorities and the opposition.
http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurds/3621.html
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