Iraqi PM suspends classes temporarily, bans protests at leading university

Iraq suspends university for politics

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister suspended classes and banned political activities at one of Baghdad’s leading universities following student protests on campus, a government spokesman said Wednesday.

Iraq also banned the student union at Mustansiriyah University, raising questions over Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s commitment to free speech.

The government maintains the school was falling under the sway of religious Shiite groups.

Studies at the university were suspended for one week, spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement posted on a government Web site.

Al-Dabbagh said the action was taken because of problems caused by “undisciplined individuals.” The statement did not provide any further details.

The university has been at the center of a power struggle between al-Maliki and religious Shiite parties, which has had administrative control of the university since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Earlier this week, a small number students demanded a role in governing the university, a protest that led al-Maliki to temporarily close the campus.

Iraq’s Higher Education Ministry defended the action, saying it was necessary “to preserve the independence of the university.”

“The aim is … to put an end to any kind of harmful interference at the university. It should be kept free from sectarian or political influence,” said Siham al-Shujeiri, a spokeswoman for the ministry.

The university has been the scene of a number of violent attacks, including a January 2007 double car bombing that killed 70 students who were lining up for bus rides home.