[Anderson:] Rallying cries echoing across the Middle East. Scenes all too familiar emerging both in Lebanon where I am and in Iraq. Shared grievances over economic dysfunction and government corruption paralyzing both nations. But the mood in both countries, it has to be said, is very different. Here in Lebanon, protesters celebrating what many are calling here a revolution. Prime Minister Saad Hariri resigning, certainly submitting his resignation yesterday after nearly two weeks of nationwide demonstrations over government corruption and an economy in turmoil. But while protesters are happy to see Hariri's government go he, though, is likely to be running a transitional government they've promised not to back down until all of their demands are met. And in Iraq, there are no celebrations. Swarms of protesters defied a curfew Tuesday storming Baghdad's Tahrir Square. They are furious over the killing of at least 14 demonstrators a day earlier. Amnesty International says there is evidence security forces opened fire on peaceful protesters staging a sit-in, even trying to run them over with vehicles. Police deny anyone was killed. Well I want to bring in Laith Kubba, who is the independent adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister. Who says confronting corruption among Iraqi politicians is the only way to address these protests. He joins me now from Istanbul. And before we talk about that narrative, let's just talk about specifically what we've seen on these streets. The security services going after these protesters. This a report from Amnesty International. Is it true?
[Laith Kubba, Independent Adviser To Iraqi Prime Minister:] Well, yes, it is true because it happened already and over the last four weeks, the death toll now exceeded 270, and we're talking about nearly 10,000 injured people. Protesters in southern Iraq and many cities there has been violence. So, of course, it must be said that some of the victims were members of the security forces themselves. And sometimes a third party has been blamed for opening fire. But at the end of the day, putting the people in front of the army or security forces is really the fault of politicians. It's not the army who is the enemy. And certainly the people have legitimate demand. It's a dysfunctional political system.
[Anderson:] Well you are the independent adviser to the Iraqi Prime Minister. You say confronting corruption among Iraq's politicians is the only way to address these protests. Should he resign?
[Kubba:] Well, I think initially everybody wanted to work within the system to bring change. It's been a year. But more importantly, because there has been such a high toll of people killed, over 270, now there is not trust between the people and the government. Something more fundamental needs to be brought to light. I think many people, including myself are now advising and thinking how transition should take place. I think steps are needed ahead of the demands of the demonstrators and the major bloc that brought the Prime Minister to power who does not have a political party. That main bloc has withdrawn its confidence and now it's looking at asking him to resign.
[Anderson:] Speaking in London at an event at Chatham House, you said recently and I quote, Iraq has 20 million young people aged under 20. They are raised with no memory of Saddam Hussein or the political issues. They are not getting the services in schools or hospitals or in the streets. And they are impatient. Well I think impatient is an understatement at this point. We have seen the successes of the protest groups here to the extent that phase one perhaps is complete and that the government has resigned. What happens next is very, very unclear. Demonstrators here calling for the entire political oligarchy as they call it to stand down. Is the Iraqi generation that you were speaking to when you made that statement at Chatham House, are they going to be the tipping point here?
[Kubba:] Their will has led the country, although they are young and they are unrelated to the past, but their bravely and their will had given the country a signal to move on. So they were joined by trade unions, by students, by many forces. And now I think the political class had put their weight behind them. The real challenge is how do you make the transition? Iraq cannot risk a power vacuum. We are neighbors to Iran. Iran feels it's under threat from America. It's hypersensitive about its security situation. But at the same time, regrettably, Iran is too close to some armed groups inside Iraq who are accused of corruption. Their centers have been burned. Some of their houses were attacked. So we are talking about a very tense situation that can lead either to more Iranian involvement or to more violence in the country. So all politicians, everybody is trying to find a way to meet the demonstrators demand. And I think it's a question no longer about economics. It's about dignity and independence and Iraqis have raised their expectations from those protesters, and I think they will win.
[Anderson:] I think the term dignity is one that we are hearing here on the streets as well, sir, and it is a good one. Just finally, according to state media, Iran's supreme leader has accused the U.S. and Western intelligence services for stirring up disorder both in Iraq and indeed here in Lebanon. Tehran's detractors will say that is ripe coming from a country that meddles in politics and more here. And certainly openly on the ground in Iraq.
[Kubba:] Well, I mean, Iraq understands fully Iran's concerns about its security. We observe the let's say the competition over power in the region and many countries. But the reality is on the ground. Those protesters went out to the street, out of their own will. Maybe politicians and others are trying to manipulate it. But the reality is, those protesters are Iraqis. And I think also, it seems not in the U.S. interest to create a vacuum or chaos in Iraq at the same time.
[Anderson:] We'll have to leave it there. We think you very much indeed for joining us. An important interview on what is a very important story. I'm Becky Anderson. I'm here in Beirut in Lebanon. We'll be back after this.