RIYADH: Saudi Interior Ministry announced on Saturday the execution of 47 people on terrorist charges, including the prominent Shi’ite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimrits.

Most of the executed were Saudis and involved in a series of attacks carried out by al-Qaida from 2003-06.

The cleric, Nimr al-Nimr, was a driving force behind anti-government protests that broke out in 2011.

The ministry said it will continue with its approach to fight any threat to the nation and the public.

Saudi Arabia has been badly affected by terrorists and attacks, especially those who have been forming secret cells as part of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

Iraqi politicians condemn execution

Iraqi politicians on Saturday condemned the execution of a prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, saying the move was intended to fuel sectarian strife in the region.

“That the implementation of the death sentence against Saudi cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr is intended to ignite the region,” a Shiite lawmaker Mohammed al-Sayhood told reporters.

Haitham al-Jubouri, another Shiite lawmaker, said “the execution of Mujahid Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by the Saudi terrorist regime represents the beginning of the end of the Saud (ruling family).”

“This move came ignite sectarian strife in the region and the world as well,” Jubouri said, adding that “such act won’t go without punishment by God and the people for this (Saudi) tyrant.”

For his part, the Shiite lawmaker Kamil al-Zaidi, from State of Law political bloc, condemned the execution of Nimr and demanded the Iraqi government to implement executions against Arab and foreign terrorist who have been convicted earlier in Iraq without delay.

In addition, Sadiqoun parliamentary bloc in a statement demanded the Iraqi government to “implement execute verdicts for all Arab, in particular Saudi nationals, and foreigners terrorists who have been prosecuted by Iraqi courts.”

Earlier in the day, Saudi Interior Ministry announced the execution of 47 people on terrorist charges, including the prominent Shiite Muslim cleric Nimr al-Nimr.