Green Zone’s streets to be opened soon – defense minister

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Defense Minister Abdul Qader al-Ubeidi said on Thursday that the coming days will witness the opening of the Green Zone’s streets, noting that the government has fulfilled what it promised regarding the security agreement’s articles with the U.S. Speaking at the official ceremony of the hand over of the fortified Green Zone from the U.S. forces, al-Ubeidi said “next days will witness opening the street that leads to the Green Zone to the al-Jumhouriya bridge and enabling citizens to take photos inside this region.” “A higher committee was formed under the General Commander of the Armed Forces, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and two other ad-hoc committees to assume the security responsibilities of the Green Zone; the first under defense minister and the second under Interior Minister Jawad al-Boulani,” he explained. “The main committee under al-Maliki includes the national security ministry, the intelligence and the Baghdad provincial council,” he also said. “The handover ceremony witnessed an official attendance by the Iraqi side, including National Security Minister Shirwan al-Waeli, Spokesman for the Iraqi government Ali al-Dabagh and Commander of the Baghdad operations Lieutenant General Aboud Kambar and a number of Iraqi officials,” IraqiNews.com correspondent said by the phone. “The U.S. side was represented by a number of U.S. senior officers and embassy’s staff,” he added. Plans to shrink the zone or open major thoroughfares, which could go a long way toward reducing Baghdad’s strangling traffic, could be months away. This is another milestone towards regaining full sovereignty. American and British forces will remain in the country – but with Iraqi permission, under two separate bilateral deals. Iraqis now have the right to prosecute US soldiers for any crimes committed while off-base and off-duty, though it is not yet clear if the same rule will apply to British troops. The Green Zone is home to many sensitive government departments, the Iraqi cabinet and parliament, as well as the U.S. and British embassies. SH (S) 1