Attacks against demonstrators is taking place only a week after Iraq's prime minister has announced his departure.

Armed men on Friday killed at least 19 people at a demonstration in Iraq's capital, Baghdad.

The dead include three policemen, police and health professionals.

Over 70 are additionally been wounded by shots or stabs at the Bagdads largest and most central square, Tahrir square, which in recent months has been the center of demonstrations.

the Attack is the bloodiest in several weeks in Iraq.

It comes a week after prime minister Adel Abdel-Mahdi announced that he would resign after months of demonstrations.

Myndighedskilder in Iraq announces that the gunmen, who attacked the demonstrators, not immediately identified.

There are reports that it is especially young iraqis, who have been on the street in Baghdad and southern Iraq. Here they have been protesting against corruption, lack of work and poor access to basic services like water and electricity.

the Prime minister's resignation was one of protesters ' main demands. Abdel-Mahdi and his government will, however, continue until a new government can be appointed.

The high-ranking shiite ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said on Friday in his sermon, that it is essential that a new government will not succumb to foreign interests.

the Comments come after a senior iranian officer was in Baghdad this week to gather support for a new iraqi government will support iranian interests.

- We hope that a new head of the government and its members will be appointed within a constitutional deadline, said Ali al-Sistani at the islamic.

President Barham Salih has officially 15 days - until 16. december - to appoint a new leader to form a government, which must be approved by parliament within a month.

- the Appointment must take place without any form of foreign interference, said Sistani, who has great influence on public opinion and only mingle during the political crises.

/ritzau/Reuters