FALLUJAH, Feb 1: Tens of thousands of Iraqis gathered in Sunni-majority parts of the country on Friday in rallies against Prime Minister Nuri al Maliki, a week after eight demonstrators were shot dead amid a dire political crisis.

Thousands demonstrated in Fallujah, just west of Baghdad, where the killings took place at the hands of the army, railing against their alleged marginalisation at the hands of Iraq’s Shia-led authorities.

“We want the fall of the regime -- no negotiations,” proclaimed one banner in the town.

The demonstrations were the latest in a wave of rallies that have continued largely uninterrupted since late December, criticising the alleged mistreatment of the Sunni community and, more recently, calling for Maliki’s downfall.

They are among the myriad problems confronting the premier, who has also faced vocal opposition from many of his erstwhile government partners less than three months before key provincial elections. “I will continue to protest, even if I am the only one left,” said Osama Nayif, one of the Fallujah protesters.

The 25-year-old was among 59 people who were wounded in Fallujah last week.—AFP