NAJAF, Iraq, July 20, 2008 (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki flew down to the Shiite holy city of Najaf on Sunday, marking opening of a new airport for civilian flights at a former military airfield. "It is a historic moment. It is a moment that symbolises equality among all Iraqis," Maliki said in his address to the crowd gathered for the inauguration of the new Al-Hamza airport. He said the opening of the airport was another step in the reconstruction of Iraq following the US-led invasion of 2003 and that he hoped other provinces would follow suit. "There must be competition among other provinces when it comes to rebuilding their regions," he said. Maliki also announced that the nearby Shiite province of Karbala would also sign a contract for the construction of a civilian airport. The Najaf airport will be...
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