At least 18 people have died during protests in the city of Nassiriya in the southern part of the country. In the capital Baghdad, 16 people are said to have died.

Several hundred people must also have been injured.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi previously appeared in a televised speech, giving the protesters partial right as well as promised reforms.

He also said that there is no "magic solution" to the corruption problems in the country.

Reform the government

As a first measure, the government should be reformed if Parliament supports it, said Abd al-Mahdi in the speech, which was his first appearance since the nationwide protests erupted. He also promised to try to pass a basic income law for poor families.

On Thursday, curfews were introduced in Baghdad and several other major cities, but that does not seem to deter protesters from pulling out onto the streets. However, the situation is difficult to assess, as the authorities try to keep the internet closed to make the protests more difficult. About 75 percent of Iraq is unplugged, according to web monitor Netblocks.

Much now depends on how religious leaders act. The supreme Shiite leader, the great Ayatollah Ali Sistani, has not yet made a statement. He is expected today to attend the Friday prayer as usual.