Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister ,Adel Abdul-Mahdi issued a statement Saturday on the religious reference speech on Friday, pointing to the imminent "important" reshuffle in response to the protests.

The text of the statement is as follows:

On Friday, 8/11/2019, the masses of our people listened to the speech of the supreme religious authority in Najaf .The speech was an affirmation of last Friday sermon in stressing the right of peaceful demonstrators to express their opinion freely and reassuringly, and to isolate the vandal elements and internal and external parties that want to distort the march of demonstrations.. In the importance of investing this precious opportunity to undertake radical reforms to combat corruption, and other ministerial , economic, security, electoral and constitutional service that correct the paths of the work of the state, to put in the natural contexts as a servant and a sponsor state and protect the interests of the people not the interests of the rulers, parties and political powers …both civilians and military elements demonstrated to welcome the blessed speech, especially as it expressed the precious opportunity that should not be wasted: the demonstrations took place not only in Tahrir Square or other demonstrations, but also in every home and family,in the same mind. Our people have witnessed many movements led by great civilians and military revolutionaries, but it is the first time that the youth lead a movement that shakes the country, shaking our entire behavior and the depths of our practices, to lead to a comprehensive review of the general situation in our country and in its present and future tracks. This movement began victorious and will not end because it will remain victorious with the achieved record speeds of defenses will lead to major reforms in Iraq. It is not a coup from those who carries special interests, but rather a tidal wave in the depths of the consciousness of our people and its rising youth movement with all its hopes and interests.

All attempts to circumvent this movement or divert its path or push it in the path of violence and vandalism have been in vain despite all the dear sacrifices made in this way, despite all the martyrs and blood that have flowed from the demonstrators and security forces. Our people finally won the cohesion of their youth , their forces and the patronage of the supreme religious authority in the country to achieve the noble goals that this movement was launched to achieve. As for the government, it does not consider itself an authority that stands above the will of the people and the constitutional institutions in force, but rather its authority according to the principles and institutions that it clearly endorses through the democratic tools of its choice. Such movements are what correct the paths if there is a single deviation, and we fully agree that there is a major flaw that requires major reform, and it is inevitable. The precious opportunity movement for the youth of Iraq was launched and will not die.

1. We consider the peaceful demonstrations of our people one of the most important events that took place in the country after 2003. The government will do its utmost to succeed the demands of the demonstrators. It considers that the demonstrations are one of the most important means of pressure and control to achieve the required reforms and objectives.
2. The demonstrations have helped and will help put pressure on the political forces, government, legislative, executive and judicial authorities to correct the paths and accept the changes. Just as demonstrations are a movement to return to the natural rights of the people, the continuation of demonstrations should serve the return of normal life in which legitimate demands are fulfilled.
3. The Government and the judicial authorities will continue to investigate cases of martyrs and wounded demonstrators and troops. It will not keep any of the demonstrators detained and will bring to trial those found guilty of criminal crimes from any party. It will prosecute anyone who assaults, abducts or is detained outside the law and the judicial authorities. The government will grant the martyrs their full right as well as care for the wounded with all capabilities.
4. There are popular demands for comprehensive or partial ministerial changes to get out of the quota system and to make our institutions more youth, efficient and transparent, and we have confirmed that we will make an important ministerial reshuffle in response.
5. Political forces and parties are important entities in any democratic system. They have made great sacrifices but have fallen into many wrong practices. The parties are chosen by the people to govern according to specific methods, not to dominate , monopolize or take over the state and society. If the last period witnessed a single-party monopoly that prevented through suppression the transfer of power, but post-2003 period witnessed a monopoly of parties that took power and prevented through specially designed electoral systems and means of intimidation, buying and selling, a real transfer of power that would renew the youth of the state. This has made the country locked in closed tracks that prevent it from progressing , spread corruption, discrimination and chaos. Therefore, there are many steps to reform the electoral system and the commission will be put forward in the next few days and the most important factor has helped and will help is the acceptance of political forces to correct these tracks as a result of public pressure and reference to achieve this.
6. The digital world (the Internet) is a contemporary reality and a right for all, and a means of questioning repressed voices and free opinions. the authorities in defense of the rights of the group is sometimes forced to restrict it when it is used to promote violence, hatred, conspiracy against the homeland and disrupt public life, which is also the right of all citizens. When some claim the right of the digital world, others also demand the right to continue the life that is disrupted by the digital world because of its misuse by some at the expense of the majority .
7. In addition to the reform packages issued successively by the Council of Ministers and the Parliament, which we are working hard to implement, there are other new packages of reforms, including the adoption of a schedule to reduce the salaries of senior officials to half, as well as adjustments in the scale of salaries to achieve the minimum segments and achieve greater social justice compensation that would not leave Iraq below the poverty line, the application of social security, labor and retirement rights so that private sector workers are equal to the public sector, etc. We will also continue to implement the reform package issued by the Council of Ministers and the Parliament, which dealt with many constitutional and security reforms, especially the implementation of order 237 , the prevention of any weapons outside the state and any armed entity operating outside the control of the state is considered illegal and is being fought .. To track down the influx of officials' wealth and refer all who should be referred to the Supreme Central Court to fight corruption, solve unemployment issues, distribute land, improve services, provide more justice, turn to projects in real sectors and fight chaos and others. "