The Latest: Guatemalans to protest end of anti-graft body

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) – The Latest on the end of a mandate for a U.N.-sponsored anti-graft commission in Guatemala (all times local):

9:01 a.m.

Guatemalans are expected to take to a main square in protest against a decision by President Jimmy Morales to shut down the U.N.-sponsored anti-graft commission that pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes.

Firecrackers go off as a supporter in favor of a decision by Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales to shut down a U.N.-sponsored anti-graft commission led by Ivan Velasquez, protests outside the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Last week the Supreme Court allowed a request brought by the CICIG and Guatemalan prosecutors to strip Morales’ immunity from prosecution to go to Congress for consideration. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Renewed calls for protesters to gather at Constitution Square outside Guatemala City’s National Palace on Saturday come a day after Morales said he would end the mandate of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala, or CICIG.

The government later clarified that the commission will remain in the country through its two-year term ending on Sept. 3, 2019.

In a statement Friday, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres took note of the decision and recalled “the important contribution of CICIG to the fight against impunity in Guatemala under the leadership of its Commissioner.”

A man holds a banner with a message that reads in Spanish, "Out of the country" and an image of Ivan Velasquez, head of a U.N.-sponsored anti-graft commission, during a protest outside the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced that he is shutting down the commission that pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes, including one pending against the president himself over purported illicit campaign financing. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A man holds a banner with a message that reads in Spanish, “Out of the country” and an image of Ivan Velasquez, head of a U.N.-sponsored anti-graft commission, during a protest outside the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced that he is shutting down the commission that pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes, including one pending against the president himself over purported illicit campaign financing. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Supporters of Commissioner Ivan Velasquez, front, holds a sing as anti-CICIG protestor, back, fires fireworks in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Supporters of Commissioner Ivan Velasquez, front, holds a sing as anti-CICIG protestor, back, fires fireworks in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales speaks to the nation flanked by military officers, in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Morales said he is not renewing the mandate of a U.N.-sponsored commission that has pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes in the country, including against him. (AP Photo/ Oliver de Ros)

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales speaks to the nation flanked by military officers, in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Morales said he is not renewing the mandate of a U.N.-sponsored commission that has pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes in the country, including against him. (AP Photo/ Oliver de Ros)

An armed army vehicle patrols in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo)

An armed army vehicle patrols in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo)

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales speaks to the nation in a televised address, surrounded by military officers, in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Morales said he is not renewing the mandate of a U.N.-sponsored commission that has pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes in the country, including against him. (AP Photo/Oliver de Roos)

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales speaks to the nation in a televised address, surrounded by military officers, in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Morales said he is not renewing the mandate of a U.N.-sponsored commission that has pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes in the country, including against him. (AP Photo/Oliver de Roos)

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales speaks to the nation in a televised address, surrounded by military officers, in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Morales said he is not renewing the mandate of a U.N.-sponsored commission that has pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes in the country, including against him. (AP Photo/Oliver de Roos)

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales speaks to the nation in a televised address, surrounded by military officers, in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Morales said he is not renewing the mandate of a U.N.-sponsored commission that has pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes in the country, including against him. (AP Photo/Oliver de Roos)

An armed army vehicle patrols in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country.( AP Photo)

An armed army vehicle patrols in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country.( AP Photo)

Guatemalan human rights prosecutor Jordan Rodas arrives to the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Guatemalan human rights prosecutor Jordan Rodas arrives to the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Matias Ponce, spokesman of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, speaks to reporters, surrounded by police agents, at the CICIG headquarters in Guatemala City, Country, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Matias Ponce, spokesman of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, speaks to reporters, surrounded by police agents, at the CICIG headquarters in Guatemala City, Country, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Supporters of Commissioner Ivan Velasquez hold a sign in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Supporters of Commissioner Ivan Velasquez hold a sign in front of the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemala president Jimmy Morales says he is not renewing mandate of U.N.-sponsored commission investigating corruption in the country. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A mariachi plays his violin next to a man holding a banner with a message that reads in Spanish, "Get out Ivan Velasquez" and an image of Velasquez, head of a U.N.-sponsored anti-graft commission, during a protest  outside the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced that he is shutting down the commission that pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes, including one pending against the president himself over purported illicit campaign financing. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

A mariachi plays his violin next to a man holding a banner with a message that reads in Spanish, “Get out Ivan Velasquez” and an image of Velasquez, head of a U.N.-sponsored anti-graft commission, during a protest outside the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity, CICIG, headquarters in Guatemala City, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced that he is shutting down the commission that pressed a number of high-profile corruption probes, including one pending against the president himself over purported illicit campaign financing. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

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