It was not clear what countries he was referring to.
Similar views were expressed at Monday's student protest, which featured anti-Israeli chants and banners. Students also criticized how the decision was made. "We want to tell . . . the coming government that the people of the country will design the fate of the country, not them," said Muhanned Abbas Abid, a protest organizer.
"We are not fools, and we will fight to get rid of this decision," Abid said, arguing it was "the first step to globalize Iraq, to allow foreign companies to enter, bring their own employees and make the Iraqis suffer and have no jobs."
Zainab Wali, 20, a student at Mustansiriya University, added: "We don't want this holiday. It is not ours. The government always claims that they achieved freedom. Where is the freedom here? They decided without even thinking of the feeling of the Muslims in this country. We will continue protesting, and if they don't respond to us, we will attend classes on Saturday."
Still, last weekend's inaugural two days off drew rave reviews in some quarters.
"It is so great to have an extra day off. . . . Now we have a time to study and have fun," said Saad Sameer, 16, panting as he took a break from soccer practice Saturday.
"My mom is also home . . . as she works for the government," he added. "She used to be so busy on Fridays that I did not have time to see her. This is the first good thing we gain after Saddam."
Special correspondents Bassam Sebti, Naseer Nouri, Omar Fekeiki and Sahar Nageeb contributed to this report.
