Bahrain Mirror:  Bahraini ambassador to Baghdad Salah Al-Maliki said that all Bahrainis visiting Najaf are well and in normal conditions, stressing that the Bahraini consulate in Iraq visited all the hotels in old city of Najaf, met the campaign (tour group) owners and citizens and considered their needs and departure time.

He said in statement to a local newspaper that the number of campaigns currently visiting Najaf doesn't exceed 10. In addition to the citizens who visit Iraq alone (without a tour group), the total number of Bahrainis in the old city is about 200.

Al-Maliki stressed that there is ongoing communication and coordination with the responsibles in "Gulf Air" in Najaf regarding the time of flight resumption, as Sunday flight was canceled due to Najaf Airport closure. He also said that an Iraqi government committee will evaluate the consequences of the security situations witnessed in the airport yesterday to assess the airport's condition, in order to determine time to resume flights.

Since last Friday (13 July), Iraq witnessed demonstrations condemning the government's policies and deteriorating economic services and conditions. Iraqi protestors stormed the airport in the Iraqi city of Najaf, halting air traffic.

The Bahraini Ambassador stressed that air traffic in Baghdad is normal, and that half of people in one of the campaigns are to fly from Baghdad according to predetermined dates. Meanwhile, the rest half are to return through the Kuwaiti boards; the same way they arrived to Iraq, stressing that the security situations in the old city do not require an evacuation of people, as no one has been harmed as a result of the incidents. He further indicated that there are two citizen who were in Karbala and that they will leave according to their prior plans.

For assistance, Bahrainis can call the consulate on: 009647728672227 or 009647801152385, Al-Maliki added.

Arabic Version