Iraqi PM urges protesters return home

BAGHDAD - Iraq's premier on Friday sent a message to protesters, saying their "legitimate demands" have been heard and urging them to go home while comparing security measures imposed in the wake of this week's violence, including a curfew, to "bitter medicine" that needs to be swallowed.

Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi spoke in a televised address to the nation following three days of demonstrations that have spread across many provinces in the country.

"We will not make empty promises, ...or promise what we cannot achieve," Abdul-Mahdi said.