DHAKA: At least 10 people have been killed in violence as Iraqi security forces dismantled an anti-government protest camp in the western city of Ramadi.

A defence ministry spokesman said local Sunni leaders and clerics had agreed to end the 12-month sit-in peacefully, reports BBC.

But there were exchanges of gunfire after police moved against the Sunni camp in western Anbar province.

Hours later, some 40 members of the Iraqi parliament offered their resignations over the operation.

The MPs, from a Sunni political alliance, demanded the withdrawal of the army and the release of a Sunni politician, Ahmed al-Alwani, arrested on Saturday.

Sunni Arabs have been calling for the resignation of Shia Prime Minister Nouri Maliki for more than a year.

They accuse his government of discriminating against their minority community and unfairly targeting it with tough anti-terrorism measures which officials say have been implemented to stem the surge in sectarian violence.

The UN says more than 7,150 civilians and 950 security forces personnel have been killed since January, the highest annual toll since 200.

BDST: 0910 HRS, DEC 31 , 2013
RS