More followers of Iraqi Shiite cleric join rally in Baghdad

BAGHDAD - Associated Press

More followers of an influential Iraqi Shiite cleric have joined a rally in central Baghdad to press lawmakers to vote on a Cabinet shakeup proposed by the prime minister.
     
Police have cordoned off a downtown square with razor wire and concrete blocks after hundreds of Muqtada al-Sadr's supporters on April 17 erected camping tents for what's expected to be a long sit-in.
     
Al-Sadr on April 16 issued an ultimatum to parliament to vote on a new government on the session on April 18.
     
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has offered a list of technocrats nominated for his new government but political blocs have rejected the nominees.
     
A vote on a second list was delayed last week when lawmakers staged a sit-in demanding the country's top political leadership step down, including al-Abadi and the parliament speaker.