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A version of this story first appeared in CNN's Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region's biggest stories. Sign up here. CNN Iraq is in the midst of its worst and longest political crisis in years. At the center of this overheating conflict stands Iraqi political kingmaker Moqtada al-Sadr and a rival bloc of parties with strong ties to neighboring Iran.

In his letter to Birla, Chowdhury also said the manner in which Irani took Murmu's name in the House was neither proper nor in consonance with the status and position of the president. PTI File Photo. Referring to the row over his "rashtrapatni" remark, Chowdhury said he has the highest regard for Murmu and that the controversy erupted because of a "mere slip of tongue on my part". It is really very sad that Madam Rashtrapati Ji's name is being unnecessarily dragged in order to gain cheap publicity and political one-upmanship by the ruling party," the Congress leader said.

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The protesters, largely made up of followers of the influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr , were demonstrating against efforts to form a new government led by Iran-backed groups. After using ropes to pull down towering concrete walls, the protesters were met by anti-riot units who deployed hot water, tear gas and pepper gas against them. Other demonstrators were seen walking toward the federal court and the Supreme Judicial Council building. A previously planned parliamentary session was canceled on Thursday, and there were no lawmakers present in the building. The country's caretaker prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi , directed security forces to protect the demonstrators and asked them to keep the protest peaceful.