Iraq to restore Or before Pope's visit

The Iraqi dailies published on Tuesday said that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has established a committee including officials from the Presidency office and the ministers of al-Awqaf (Islamic trusts), culture and information in order to restore Or, the birthplace of prophet Abraham, before an expected visit by Pope John Paul II to the city.

The Iraqi dailies quoted the governor of al-Nasereya, Ahmad Abdullah Salah, as saying that the committee will submit a detailed study concerning restoration and renovation of the said city and their costs.

Or is some 400 km south of Baghdad. It includes the artifacts and antiquities of Babylonian and old Assuryan ruins as well as several temples and royal tombs and palaces.