Iraq’s PM bans use of fire against demonstrators.

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com – Iraq ’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has issued an order banning the use of fire against demonstrators, the official spokesman for Baghdad Operations Command, Maj-General Qassim Atta said on Wednesday.   “The security forces and the anti-mob forces have received strict orders by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, preventing the use of fire against demonstrators and the non-use of a single bullet, unless in the event of self-defense,” Atta said, adding that “any security officer in those bodies, who would commit such violation, would be accounted.”   “There are other means to disperse demonstrators, such as the use of water, gas or sticks, that were not implemented,” Atta said, adding that “in the event of opening fire by any officer on the demonstrators, he will be accounted firmly,” he concluded.   ST / SKH   585