Cleric’s followers force way into Iraqi parliament for second time this week

Protesters try to remove concrete barriers and cross the bridge towards the Green Zone area in Baghdad (Ali Abdul Hassan/AP)

Hundreds of followers of an influential Shiite cleric have breached parliament for a second time this week to protest against government formation efforts led by Iran-backed groups.

Iraqi security forces initially used tear gas and sound bombs to try to repel the demonstrators and caused several injuries witnessed by journalists for The Associated Press.