Hundreds of Iraqis, angry at poor public services, have rioted in the town of Samawa, south of Baghdad. 

Witnesses say police opened fire on the crowd, hitting at least eight people. There are reports that at least one person was killed.

Residents of the normally calm, mainly Shi'ite town burned vehicles, including a police car, just outside the governor's office and demanded his resignation.

Iraq's new Shi'ite-led government took power in January and promised to end guerrilla violence and restore public services.

But frustrations are running high with electricity shortages and high unemployment.