Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is accusing antigovernment protesters of abusing their freedoms and causing "chaos."
Demonstrations have swept Sunni-majority areas of Iraq for two weeks, causing transport disruptions.
Protesters say Maliki's Shi'ite-led government persecutes the country's Sunni Muslim minority.
They are calling for the release of prisoners and the reform of antiterrorism legislation.
In a speech in Baghdad on January 9, Maliki said the cabinet had formed a committee to consider some of the protesters' demands, but added that the security forces could still intervene.
In the western, Sunni-dominated province of Anbar, the authorities closed a border crossing with Jordan on January 9 until further notice, citing disruptions to transport and trade.
The move came as demonstrators continued to block a highway to Syria and Jordan as part of the antigovernment protests.
Demonstrations have swept Sunni-majority areas of Iraq for two weeks, causing transport disruptions.
Protesters say Maliki's Shi'ite-led government persecutes the country's Sunni Muslim minority.
They are calling for the release of prisoners and the reform of antiterrorism legislation.
In a speech in Baghdad on January 9, Maliki said the cabinet had formed a committee to consider some of the protesters' demands, but added that the security forces could still intervene.
In the western, Sunni-dominated province of Anbar, the authorities closed a border crossing with Jordan on January 9 until further notice, citing disruptions to transport and trade.
The move came as demonstrators continued to block a highway to Syria and Jordan as part of the antigovernment protests.
