Threat to Green Zone kills 5 in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Nov 4, (AP): Antigovernment protesters crossed a major bridge in central Baghdad on Monday, approaching the headquarters of state-run TV and coming to within 500 meters of the prime minister’s office, as security forces fired live ammunition and tear-gas, killing at least five protesters and wounding dozens.

An Associated Press reporter saw dozens of protesters racing through the streets carrying several wounded people. Some protesters hurled rocks at security forces, who responded with tear-gas and fired a water cannon. As the protesters neared the government buildings, large numbers of security forces flooded into the area.

The protesters have been trying to breach barricades on bridges leading to the heavily fortified Green Zone, where the government is headquartered. Security forces have fired tear-gas and rubber bullets to keep them away from barricades on the nearby Al-Joumhouriyah and Al-Sanak Bridges, but they appear to have broken through on the Al-Ahrar Bridge further north on the Tigris River.

The heavy clashes came a day after Prime Minister Adel Abdul- Mahdi called on the protesters to reopen streets and for life to return to normal. His office is just outside the Green Zone. Police and hospital officials said at least five demonstrators and a member of the security forces were killed, and that another 60 people were wounded.