Iraqi's protest lack of water and electricity: three killed

Iraqi's protest lack of basic services and corruption

Three people have been killed in clashes between security forces and protesters in a southern Iraq. Some 2,000 people attacked government offices in protest over poor services; another bl;d move spurred by demonstrations throughout the Middle East.

Protesters occupied a government building today and three others were set on fire, including the governor's official residence, Al Jazeera reports.

State security forces fired warning shots in to the air but private security guards of which there are many in Iraq, fired directly in to the crowd.  In what has become a familiar theme these these days, the demonstrators called for the regional governor to resign due to the poor public services, especially water and electricity.  Many Iraqi's must look back at the other US puppet Hussein's reign with some fondness, at least they had water and electricity on a regular basis.

"They held up placards that said, "To all citizens: Electricity is only for officials", a reference to Iraq's dramatic shortfall in power provision." says Al Jazeera's correspondent in the area.  Al Jazeera's coverage has brought the wrath of numerous dictators in the region and the station has been banned in Libya and was in Egypt.  Corruption as well as services were an issue.

On another note, Al Jazreea is blocked in the US and if you go to its website you can click on a link that send a message to your internet provider and cable provider urging them to push the US government to let Al Jazeera in.