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After five days of deadly demonstrations in Iraq, protesters stormed the Iranian consulate in the city of Basra on Friday. Other government buildings have been robbed and burned in recent days. The protesters angrily shouted Iran's influence over Iraqi politics as they looted offices in the building. The consulate was empty when the protesters arrived, sources told Reuters. Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the largest Shia cleric in Iraq, said on Thursday that a new government should be formed that is "different from its predecessors" and that violence against protesters should stop. Since Monday, 10 demonstrators have died in Basra, many in front of the security. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's national security team was investigating the deaths on Friday. Al-Abadi also said it would release funds for public programs in Basra.
