BAGHDAD, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) top envoy in Iraq called on Wednesday for calm after violent anti-government protests in the capital Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces led to the death of at least one protester and the wounding of hundreds of others.
"The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert calls for calm, and deeply regrets the casualties among both the protesters and security forces," said a statement by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Hennis-Plasschaert also urged the Iraqi authorities to "exercise restraint in their handling of the protests to ensure the safety of peaceful protesters while upholding law and order and protecting the people, public and private property."
"Every individual has the right to speak freely, in keeping with the law," Hennis-Plasschaert said.
On Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Baghdad to express anger at the absence of improvement in basic services, including lack of electricity, clean water, and job opportunities.
The protest was echoed in other Iraq cities with similar demonstrations taking place in Najaf, Basra, Diwaniyah in the south.
However, clashes erupted at Tahrir Square in Baghdad, with riot police using water cannons and firing tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters who threw stones and empty bottles of water at security members.
A joint statement by the ministries of Interior and Health issued late on Tuesday night said that one protester was killed while 200 others wounded, including 40 security members, adding that "the government regrets the violence provoked by a group of rioters."
