Maliki holds key security meeting ahead of protests

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has told security officials to 'deal firmly with the rioters' Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki held a key security meeting on Wednesday, attended by all security chiefs in the Iraqi provinces, to discuss the Friday's planned anti-government protests ."The meeting discussed the security situation in general and what is happening in some provinces," read a government statement, hinting at the month-long protests in Sunni-majority provinces.
 During the meeting Maliki urged the army and security "to deal firmly with the rioters." Maliki also called on security services to "take caution against those who are trying to derail the demonstrations" warning them to do whatever it takes to protect the public interests," according to the statement.
In a separate development on Wednesday, Maliki received a phone call from the Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the latter asserted his support for Iraq's unity and stability.
A statement issued by the Iraqi PM's office said that Maliki and Putin discussed bilateral relations and development in several fields, in addition to ongoing events in the region.
The statement added that both leaders stressed the necessity to keep close contact between the two countries over the regional developments.
The Iraqi Government concluded a number of armament deals with Russia and Czech Republic during Maliki's recent visits to the two countries. However, the government of Iraq decided to renegotiate with Moscow over the armament deal due to corruption suspicions.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General of Sahwat al-Iraq [a major Sunni group in Iraq's al-Anbar province] Ahmed Abu Risha, said Wednesday that Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has ordered to divest him of his guards and weapons.
Speaking to reporters, Abu Risha said, "Maliki told the regiment responsible for my protection to withdraw the return their weapons. This is an attempt to target the prominent tribal figures in al-Anbar who support [Sunni anti-government] demonstrators. Standing by the demonstrators is better than supporting Maliki."
The decision comes as Maliki gets ready to face mass protests on Friday calling for his government's resignation, after deadly clashes between demonstrators and army force last Friday in Fallujah city left seven demonstrators dead.
The deaths in the predominantly Sunni town were the first since protests began last month, and came as tens of thousands rallied in Sunni areas against alleged targeting of their minority by the Shiite-led authorities.
While some Shiite clerics gave cross-sectarian support to the protests, PM Maliki blamed demonstrators and insisted soldiers had been "attacked."
The deaths have raised tensions in a country that only recently emerged from brutal communal bloodshed that killed tens of thousands from 2005 to 2008. Iraq is also just three months away from provincial elections.
Friday's rally had been moved from central to eastern Fallujah, 60 kilometres (35 miles) from Baghdad, but was blocked off by soldiers, police captain Nasser Awad said.
Protesters began throwing bottles of water at the troops, who opened fire. Seven demonstrators were killed, all of them from gunshot wounds, said Assem al-Hamdani, a doctor at Fallujah hospital. Hamdani said 60 others were wounded, most by gunfire.
The defence ministry has promised an investigation into the killings, and security chiefs in the town have been transferred to the police in an attempt to defuse tensions.
Iraq's state broadcaster reported that as the troops were vacating Fallujah, two soldiers were wounded by gunfire. On Saturday, thousands attended the funeral of the seven people killed on Friday.