Thousands of supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have rallied in the streets of Baghdad to protest plans for a long-term U.S.-Iraq security agreement.
The protesters took to the streets after Friday Muslim prayers Friday in the capital's Sadr City neighborhood and other cities across Iraq.
Sadr called Tuesday for demonstrations to protest a possible agreement that could lead to an extended U.S. troop presence in Iraq. He said supporters should continue to hold demonstrations after Friday prayers until Iraq's government cancels the negotiations with the United States.
The agreement would replace the current United Nations mandate for U.S. troops in Iraq, which expires at the end of this year.
Elsewhere, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told reporters in Stockholm that his government is working on plans to encourage tens of thousands of refugees to return home.
Mr. Maliki met with Swedish officials Friday, one day after a U.N.-backed conference in Stockholm on rebuilding Iraq.
He said the Iraqi government has earmarked funds as part of an effort to make Iraq more attractive to citizens who sought asylum in Europe and elsewhere.
Also Friday, the U.S. military said its forces killed a suspected al-Qaida arms dealer and captured three key members of al-Qaida's bombing network in a series of operations across the country Friday.
The military also said Friday a U.S. Marine had been removed from duty after Iraqis in Fallujah complained he was handing out coins that quoted verses of the Bible.
A spokesman says an investigation is under way. A military statement said U.S. troops are prohibited from "proselytizing any religion, faith or practices."
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
