After a bloody day in Iraq .. The United Nations condemns the killing of demonstrators and the Sadrist movement calls for the resignation of the government

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned the killing of Iraqi protesters, a day after 42 people were killed and hundreds wounded.

Guterres said in a statement that the Iraqi authorities should "exercise maximum restraint and protect the lives of the demonstrators," expressing "deep concern at reports of continued use of live ammunition against demonstrators in Iraq, resulting in a high number of deaths and injuries."

He also called for an urgent investigation into all acts of violence and urged all actors to engage in a meaningful peaceful dialogue for the benefit of the Iraqi people.

Authorities mobilized their security forces around Baghdad's Tahrir Square, amid calls to demonstrate in the center of the capital after Friday prayers.

This comes a day after 42 people were killed and hundreds wounded, including 29 in Nassiriya, the capital of Dhi Qar province, nine in Najaf and three in Baghdad.

Al-Jazeera correspondent said that local sources talked about the rise in the number of deaths in Najaf at night to 18, after the death of more wounded, as the correspondent quoted news sources indicating the resignation of the deputy governor.

Al-Jazeera correspondent reported that the governor of Dhi Qar submitted his resignation in protest against the killing of the demonstrators.

The Iraqi security media cell said that the Prime Minister summoned Lieutenant General Jamil al-Shammari, a day after he was named military commander to manage the affairs of Dhi Qar, to find out the reasons that led to events in the city.

Calls to resign
On the other hand, a coalition of Sairon supported by the leader of the Sadr movement Muqtada al-Sadr issued a statement calling on the Prime Minister to resign immediately, in order to preserve the blood of Iraqis and the unity of the country, as he put it.

The alliance called in a statement delivered by the head of the parliamentary bloc Sairon Nabil al-Tarfi all national forces to have positions commensurate with the current events, warning of the danger of continuing.

"I am deeply concerned today because of what is being issued by some or most of the Shiites of the ruling, as well as others, and I declare my innocence," Moqtada al-Sadr said in the statement.

Sadr called on the demonstrators to continue their movement, and said he joins his voice with their voices, and advised them to "punish some abusers and remove them from their yard immediately."