CAIRO, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Tuesday voiced concern and regret over the escalation of violence and for the victims in Iraq's protests.
"The current crisis requires self-restraint and all necessary measures to meet the people's demands," an AL statement said.
Abul Gheit urged all Iraqis to cooperate to contain the crisis and to maintain the gains achieved by the government in the last years at all levels.
The pan-Arab organization is ready to take its responsibilities regarding Iraq and its people and to adopt what is needed to preserve the stability of the country, he noted.
He also extended his condolences to the families of the victims, wishing speed recovery for the wounded.
Earlier this month, massive protests erupted in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and other central and southern provinces, calling for reform, accountability for corrupt people, improvement of public services, and job opportunities.
The Iraqi government has responded by presenting packages of reforms aimed at providing job opportunities, building housing complexes, paying stipends to the poor and scaling up the fight against corruption.
