The partial reopening of Baghdad's high-security Green Zone to through traffic, planned for Sunday, has been postponed for several days, a government official said.
The enclave has been home to Iraq's parliament, government offices, United Nations agencies and western embassies since the US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Earlier this week, Iraqi authorities began removing concrete barriers to ease access to a key route that cuts across the enclave, ahead of a planned opening on Sunday, reportedly at the orders of Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi.
But on Sunday morning, a government official told AFP that "the reopening will not take place before the next two days, or perhaps by the end of the week".
"An important thoroughfare will be opened, but we must secure its surroundings and seal access to perpendicular streets," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The road leads from the banks of the Tigris River northwest through the Green Zone and into other parts of Baghdad.
Authorities say allowing through traffic would ease congestion in other parts of the city.
But on either side of the route lie the offices and homes of Iraqi officials and international diplomats.
The UK embassy and the UN informed staff members they were implementing tougher safety measures inside the zone from Sunday, citing an "elevated threat level."
The US embassy has declined to comment on the reopening.
The Green Zone, ringed by blast walls topped with barbed wire and guarded by Iraqi security forces, remains inaccessible for most Iraqi citizens.
Even if the planned opening goes ahead, Baghdad residents would not be able to access the rest of the zone by car or on foot.
Mr Abdel Mahdi, who was appointed premier in October, is keen to portray Iraq as fully secured, nearly a year after ISIS was ousted from its last urban strongholds.
Previous prime minister Haider Al Abadi had also ordered the zone reopened in 2015, but it was sealed off again after only a few days.
It was rumoured at the time that objections by the US embassy – which has the tightest security regulations of all in the Green Zone – were the reason.
On Saturday, Baghdad's residents voiced scepticism that this time would be different.
"It's been years, every day they say 'tomorrow, tomorrow' – and nothing," said Ryad Ahmed as he passed one of the planned entrances to the zone.
"We hope they'll reopen it, now that they've removed some t-walls, but we still don't know if it's true or not."
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Read more:
Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr warns of ISIS resurgence in Mosul
Iraq to open Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone to public
Iraqi president visits Baghdad district once considered 'no go' area
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TO A LAND UNKNOWN
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised
General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.
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Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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SPECS
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Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
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September 30
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Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
Company%20Profile
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Normal People
Sally Rooney, Faber & Faber
The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
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Profile
Name: Carzaty
Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar
Launched: 2017
Employees: 22
Based: Dubai and Muscat
Sector: Automobile retail
Funding to date: $5.5 million
