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Protests in Iraq and Lebanon Pose a Challenge to Iran
(AP-Washington Post) Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Joseph Krauss - The day after anti-government protests erupted in Iraq, Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani flew to Baghdad and surprised a group of top security officials by chairing a meeting in place of the prime minister. The arrival of Soleimani signaled Tehran's concern over the protests, which had included calls for Iran to stop meddling in the country. The protests in Iraq and Lebanon are fueled by local grievances, but they also pose a challenge to Iran, which closely backs both governments as well as powerful armed groups in each country. "We in Iran know how to deal with protests," Soleimani told the Iraqi officials. "This happened in Iran and we got it under control." The day after Soleimani's visit, the death toll soared as unidentified snipers shot demonstrators in the head and chest. Impoverished Iraqis complain that powerful Shiite militias tied to Iran have built economic empires, taking control of state reconstruction projects and branching into illicit business activities. Overnight Tuesday, masked men opened fire on protesters in Karbala, killing at least 18 and wounding hundreds.