U.S. forces hands over Basra airport’s runway to Iraqi authorities

BASRA / IraqiNews.com: U.S. troops handed over the runway of the Basra airport to the Iraqi authorities, the airport’s director said on Monday. “U.S. troops handed over the runway to the Iraqi authorities, which is the last part of transferring the entire airport to the Iraqi civilian authorities,” Abulamir Mattar told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Receiving the runway comes within the security agreement signed with the U.S.,” he added. Basra is 590 km south of Baghdad. SH (P)/SR 1