Saddam allows Iranians to visit Shiite shrines

The President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, will permit Iranians to visit Iraq's Shiite Muslim shrines starting next month, after a 17-year-suspension, Baghdad Radio stated on August,18.

According to the beliefs of Iranian Shiites, Karbala and Najaf shrines in southern Iraq are among the most holy places to Muslims along with Mecca and Madina.

Suspension of such pilgrimages started with the Iranian-Iraqi war outbreak in 1980. The decision to re-allow Iranians into Iraq after the long break came as a fruit of a joint meeting between the Revolutionary Command Council and the Baath Party's regional command.

Quoting an Iraqi spokesman, the radio urged Iranian visitors to abide by Iraqi regulations and rules in this respect.