Plan to block Baghdad's phone lines criticised
28/03/2012 17:41BAGHDAD, March 28 (AKnews) - The Interior Ministry's plan to block the phone services over the next two days during the Arab League summit was criticized by the federal Services Committee today.
The blocking of phone lines in Baghdad, as well as many other security precautions, was reported earlier today by AKnews.
Committee member Ihsan Al-Awadi told AKnews that blocking mobile communications is not a solution to the security problem presented by the Arab Summit and that security forces should be able to follow-up suspicious communications of terrorist groups.
"The Iraqi government was supposed to maintain tight security utilizing security and intelligence services, instead of working to block communications in the capital of Baghdad," he said.
The Ministry of Interior plans to block all mobile phone networks in different areas of Baghdad to prevent terrorist groups communicating.
The move is part of a security plan approved by the Office of the Commander General of the armed forces.
Around 100 Iraqi helicopters are expected to safeguard the governmental Green Zone in Baghdad.
Arab economy and finance ministers met yesterday in Baghdad, as did Arab foreign ministers today.
The summit begins today and will be attended by Arab presidents and kings.
By Jaafar al-Wannan
RN/SS/AKnews
