AMMAN - Iraq has closed its border with Jordan until Sunday night, state-run Petra news agency reported Thursday quoting a statement from the public security department.
The closure affecting truck and passenger traffic traveling from Jordan went into effect Wednesday night, the agency said, without giving any explanation.
However, travellers arriving from Iraq are being allowed to enter Jordan, but only between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm, the agency said.
The closure coincides with a Shiite religious festival in Iraq, the Arbaeen which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for the slaying of revered Imam Hussein almost 14 centuries ago
Iraq had closed its borders for five days in February for security reasons on the occasion of another the Shiite Muslim mourning period of Ashura.
03/31/2005 15:33 GMT