BAGHDAD, Jan 14 (KUNA) -- Iraq Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Sudani stressed Saturday providing crossing-border facilitations for all guests coming to watch the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup currently held in Basra City, describing the event as an "Arab festival".
Al-Sudani made the statement on the sidelines of a luncheon held in Baghdad in honor of the Gulf football federations' delegations participating in the tournament, in the attendance of a number of Gulf football stars and media people.
The Iraqi cabinet quoted Al-Sudani as saying in a statement that the tournament has a symbolic importance, and the Iraqi government has been keen to overcome all obstacles to launch the championship.
Border facilitations will continue after the end of the event and Iraqis welcome their GCC brothers, he stressed without giving further details about the facilitations.
The Iraqi government approved great accelerations in terms of granting entry visas to Gulf and Yemeni citizens during the tournament, in addition to the entry of vehicles from the border crossings.
Iraq is hosting the tournament for the second time in its history; the first one was hosted by Baghdad in 1979. (end) ahh.hm