Iraqi President Barham Saleh has condemned attacks on protesters, calling for dialogue and halt to the week-long escalation in the Arab country.

In a televised address on Monday, Saleh called those committing the violence criminals and enemies, stressing that Iraq had experienced enough destruction, bloodshed, wars and terrorism.

The Iraqi president proposed a “national, all-encompassing and frank dialogue… without foreign interference” to chart a way out of the crisis.

“There is no legitimacy to any political process or system that does not work to achieve your demands,” Saleh said, addressing protesters.

He said those who attacked demonstrators and security forces were “enemies of the people” and denounced weekend raids on local and regional media stations.

Saleh said, meanwhile, that “in response to the call announced by the religious reference, a committee to set a roadmap in a bid to get out of the current crisis.”

“We don’t want Iraq to be a venue for others’ strife,” Saleh said, stressing on importance of preventing foreign interference in Iraqi Issues.

Source: Agencies