Sadr tweeted his statement with the Arabic hashtag ‘The just revolution of the people.’
The protests, which began in the oil-rich southern city of Basra in early July, have spread to eight Iraqi provinces. Demonstrators are demanding better access to water, electricity, and jobs.
Sadr discussed the protests in a meeting with the head of the UN’s mission in Iraq (UNAMI), Jan Kubis, in Najaf on Thursday.
The cleric “stressed the necessity to meet the legitimate demands of the citizens by providing services and urged the United Nations to bolster its efforts to support Iraq and its stability,” according to a statement from his office.
Kubis said that solutions must come at the local and national level, telling Sadr that governments at all levels must “meet the immediate legitimate demands of the people & take first reform steps on issues & measures that would require longer time,” UNAMI tweeted.
Kubis has previously expressed concern about outbursts of violence in the demonstrations and said all parties must come together to resolve persistent problems that plague the country.
Some of the protests have turned violent with security advisors putting the casualty figures near 500, including both civilians and security personnel.
Sadr’s Sayirun alliance with the Iraqi Communist Party won the most seats in the federal parliament in the recent election. Talks to establish a coalition government with the other major lists have progressed slowly, however, while a manual recount of the vote takes place. The protests could now delay talks further.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi insisted his Iraqi government is following up on the protesters’ demands. He visited Basra last week, but the protesters would not meet with him.
On Wednesday, he chaired the first meeting of a crisis cell formed to respond to issues raised by the demonstrators.
Demands presented by a group of activists and tribal leaders in Basra on Monday included concrete resolutions to resolve water and electricity service problems, job creation, investment in the province, combatting corruption, and increased transparency, especially with respect to the oil sector.
Oil-rich Basra province is home to the country’s only seaport provides the bulk of Iraq’s revenues, but has seen little local benefit. Unemployment and poverty levels are high.
Sadr and Kubis also discussed the formation of the next government to “swiftly provide citizens with essential services and ensure a free, dignified life for all,” read the statement from Sadr’s office.
Kubis called for “acceleration of the democratic processes including the finalization of the manual recount, declaration of the final results of the elections, convening the new parliament and formation of the new government,” UNAMI tweeted.
A statement from Iraqi President Fuad Masum’s office on Wednesday indicated that the results of the manual recount are expected soon.
