muqtada al-sadr are a regular site in baghdad. the followers of the powerful shia cleric wants haider al-abadi to press on with a system of government patronage that encourages ethnic and sectarian lines. >> we hope that these promises of reforms will be true. i urge iraqi prime minister haider al-abadi to press on with plans to form an independent cabinet of technocrats, to fight graft despite political pressure to desist. i want the prime minister to continue his reform plan with no fear of political pressure. >> reporter: corruption is eating into dwindling government finances in iraq suffering from the fall of the cost of oil. al sadr gave the prime minister 45 days to replace the technocrats or face a no confidence vote in parliament. bernard smith, al jazeera. >>> we're in afghanistan, we'll tell you why the city's most famous blue glass make are is thrilled sanctions on iran have been lifted. >> welcome back to al jazeera america i'm antonio mora. coming up in this half hour of international news the european union commits to closer ties to cuba. but first in denmark an activist h