BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Hundreds of demonstrators tried to storm the headquarters of the Iranian consulate in the southern province of Karbala on Sunday, Iraqi security sources said, amid ongoing protests across Iraq.
The sources added that the demonstrators raised the Iraqi flag over the gate of the Iranian consulate building and set fire to its surroundings.
The protesters cut off the streets surrounding the consulate, and a security force fired heavy live bullets into the air to disperse the protesters, it said.
"Hundreds of demonstrators gathered Sunday evening in front of the Iranian consulate in downtown Karbala and raised the Iraqi flag at the entrance of the consulate after a number of demonstrators climbed the outside fence of the building," the Anatolia news agency quoted a demonstrator in Karbala as saying.
He added that "the demonstrators did not storm the building, but they chanted against the presence of the Iranian diplomatic mission in the city of Karbala, and called on them to leave the city, and threw stones at the building."
This came while demonstrations continue in Baghdad and a number of Iraqi provinces to protest against the deterioration of living conditions, and demand political and economic reform in the country.
On Sunday morning, protesters blocked a number of roads in central Baghdad. Schools also closed for the second week in response to a call by the teachers' union calling on school administrations to continue the strike in support of demonstrators and their demands.
Since October 25, Iraq has been witnessing a wave of escalating anti-government protests, the second of its kind after a wave launched two weeks ago.
The protests were marred by violent clashes that left at least 260 people dead and thousands injured.