Iraq's top cleric has said that violence and chaos will only hinder true reforms as demanded by ongoing anti-corruption and economic protesters in Iraq, calling on demonstrators to counter violent rioters.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

Addressing worshipers during Friday prayers in the holy city of Karbala, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said protests are effective in hastening needed reforms on the condition that they "are not drawn to violent acts, chaos and destruction."

"Conserving the peaceful nature of the protests and keeping them far from violence and destruction is very important and everyone needs to unite in achieving such," a representative of Ayatollah Sistani said as he delivered the top cleric's sermon.

The top cleric added that the protesters should not allow rioters to infiltrate the rallies and target "security forces and destroy public and private property" just as protecting the lives of protesters is the responsibility of the security forces.

During his statements, Ayatollah Sistani also said that a new prime minister must be chosen "without any foreign interference" and partisan politics after the incumbent Adel Abdul-Mahdi tendered his resignation a week ago.

"We hope a new head of government and its members will be chosen within the constitutional deadline" of 15 days since the resignation was approved in parliament on Sunday, Ayatollah Sistani said.