Baghdad: Renewed anti-government protests across Iraq left more than 40 people dead on Friday through tear gas, live rounds and fires, a watchdog and security sources said. The protests represent a second phase of a week-long movement in early October that ended with more than 150 people dead.

Rallies had been set to resume on Friday, with Iraq's highest Shiite authority to the United Nations urging restraint. They began early and were calm on Thursday evening, with protesters exchanging flowers with security forces and the interior minister insisting police would "protect" protesters.