By NNN-KUNA,
Baghdad : The curfew imposed since Sunday evening in Diwaniya was lifted Monday, after delaying the security responsibility handover from the Multi-National Forces (MNF) to the Iraqi security authorities due to formalities on the part of the central government and poor weather conditions.
In remarks to KUNA, Diwaniya Governorate Council spokesman Ghanim Dahish said the curfew was lifted early Monday, adding that the delay was to do with the central government and not the local authorities.
He said that poor weather was also a factor, pointing out that the Iraqi forces’ readiness for the handover of duties was at a high level.
The formalities concerned exchange of documents between the government and MNF representatives, and the poor weather prevented senior officials from coming to the area to attend a ceremony for this purpose.
Dahish also cited poor coordination between the central government in Baghdad and the local authorities.
Head of the security committee at the Diwaniya Governorate Council Hussein Al-Bedairi told KUNA poor weather was a main factor in the delay, and added visibility was almost zero for aircraft.
Officials mostly planned to arrive for the ceremony by air, he clarified.
Dahish said that officials at the Diwaniya governorate were looking forward to take over security duties.
Meanwhile, Diwaniya Governor Hamed Al-Khodhari told KUNA the curfew started at 1800 hours local time Sunday until further notice, as a precautionary measure to prevent violence aimed at the handover of security responsibilities.
Iraqi forces tasked with protecting the governorate already have the military gear and training to carry out their mission, he said.
A ceremony to hand over the security responsibilities was planned for Monday with the attendance of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki and other officials.
It would have been the 10th Iraqi governorate to take over security duties from the Multi-National Forces.
Diwaniya is located 180 km south of Baghdad, and saw marked stability over the past three months.