伊拉克议会崩溃 议员们逃离巴格达

AS IT IS 2016-05-02 Iraqi Parliament Collapses¹, Lawmakers Flee Baghdad 伊拉克议会崩溃 议员们逃离巴格达

Baghdad is in a state of emergency after protestors led by Shi’ite clergyman Muqtada al-Sadr entered the parliament building in the International Zone Saturday, forcing lawmakers to flee.

On Sunday morning, the demonstrators gathered in front of the now-empty parliament building and in what is known as the zone’s “Celebration Square.” Later, they announced they would temporarily leave the area. In a statement, Sadr’s office said the decision was made because a major Shi’ite religious observance is taking place.

About 60 lawmakers -- most of them from the minority Kurdish and Sunni parties -- flew out of the capital to Irbil and Suleymania, in the northern, self-governing Kurdish part of the country.

“It was dangerous for all of us,” one parliament official told VOA. He said some lawmakers were beaten.

Usually, only people with special documents are permitted to enter the secure area, which is also known as the Green Zone. A United Nations office and many foreign embassies are in the zone.

The parliament official said “at any time, the protesters could attack any embassy, any institution they want, or abuse anybody passing by. It seems al-Sadr wants to keep them inside the (zone) so he can force the government to do what he wants.”

The protest took place after weeks of political disputes and increasing instability. Many Iraqis are angry with the government. They want better government services and security and they want corruption² to end.

The parliament official said “al-Sadr has the power of the people. One speech and he can deliver thousands of people to do what he wants. It is the power of the populace. Al-Sadr is capable of running and leading the anger within each Iraqi person.”

Iraqi security forces have stopped anyone from entering the city, and the military is watching closely to see what happens next.

1 collapses   

折叠( collapse的第三人称单数 )； 倒塌； 崩溃； （尤指工作劳累后）坐下

参考例句：

• This bridge table collapses. 这张桥牌桌子能折叠。
• Once Russia collapses, the last chance to stop Hitler will be gone. 一旦俄国垮台，抑止希特勒的最后机会就没有了。

2 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。