BAGHDAD, July 14, 2018 (MENA) – Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi chaired an urgent meeting of the National Security Council, which was convened to discuss protests that spread in a number of southern provinces against the deterioration of government services. In a statement broadcast by Alsumaria news channel on Saturday, the council said security forces will take all deterrent measures against those who try to make use of peaceful demonstrations in vandalism. Protecting citizens and state property is the duty of security forces, who have made sacrifices to liberate the Iraqi lands from elements of Daesh terrorist organization, read the statement.