16 February 2011 VOA News Hundreds of Iraqis have stormed provincial government buildings in the eastern city of Kut in a protest against the poor quality of public services, triggering clashes with security forces that killed at least three people.
More than 2,000 people joined the protest Wednesday, calling for the ouster of corrupt officials in Wasit province, of which Kut is the capital. Some protesters threw stones and set fires outside government offices in the city, while others stormed into the buildings.
About 30 people were wounded. Local authorities declared an evening curfew in Kut as a result of the unrest.
Iraqis have staged small-scale protests in various cities in recent days, demanding
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was in neighboring Kuwait Wednesday for a one-day visit aimed at resolving disputes related to the 1990 invasion of the emirate by the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. A U.S.-led multi-national force ousted Saddam's troops from Kuwait the following year.
Iraq still owes Kuwait more than $20 billion in compensation for the invasion. The two neighbors also have disputes about land and maritime borders.
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