US urges Iraq to hold early elections, halt violence against protesters

The United States on Sunday urged the Iraqi government to hold early elections and carry out electoral reforms and called for the halt of violence against those participating in the ongoing anti-government protests in the country.

"The United States joins the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq in calling on the Iraqi government to halt the violence against protesters and fulfil President Salih's promise to pass electoral reforms and hold early elections", Sputnik quoted a statement by the White House.

Nationwide protests in Iraq began in early October and escalated in waves. People are demanding the ouster of the government, as well as economic reforms, better living conditions, social welfare and an end to corruption.

The scale of the protests is believed to be the biggest since the fall of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in 2003.

As many as 300 people have died in Iraq since the beginning of the anti-government protests last month, the Iraqi Parliamentary Human Rights Committee said in a report. Nearly 15000 people have been injured in the protests as per a report by Independent High Commission for Human Rights of Iraq.