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Violence Continues in Iraq Despite PM's Resignation

   BAGHDAD - Anti-government violence raged on in southern Iraq on Friday,
   despite the announced resignation of Prime Minister Adel AbdulMahdi. At
   least 21 people were killed in the southern part of the country, and
   one protester was killed in central Baghdadas demonstrations continued
   here, including athousands-strong sit-inat Tahrir Square.

   Abdul Mahdi's announcement came afterthe country'ssenior Shiite Muslim
   cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, urged lawmakers to reconsider
   theirsupport for a government rocked by weeks of
   deadlyanti-establishment unrest.

   "In response to this [the cleric's]call, and in order tofacilitate it
   as quickly as possible, I will present toparliament a demand [to
   accept]my resignation from theleadership of the current government," a
   statement signed byAbdul Mahdi said.

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