Iraq Prime Minister Maliki is facing increasing calls for his resignation from minority Sunnis

Iraq PM makes concessions to enemies as Syria link grows

Iraq PM offers prisoner release as demos continue

AFP

Iraqi premier Nuri al-Maliki looked to head off protests in Sunni areas of the country on Tuesday with a prisoner release even as he threatened to use state resources to “intervene” to end the rallies. The move came as powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr voiced support for the demonstrations.