Shafaq News-Babil
BabilProvincial Council will suspend official working hours on Wednesday andThursday to accommodate residents taking part in the funeral processions forlate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Councilchairman Asaad al-Muslimawi told a news conference that the council allocated400 vehicles to transport mourners to Najaf and Karbala provinces whereKhamenei's body is scheduled to arrive on June 8.
Babil GovernorAli Turki confirmed that transport and security preparations were complete andthat an executive campaign would begin Sunday, including a full health planalongside the security arrangements, describing the event as the first of itskind for the province.
: Third day of Khamenei mourning begins with funeral prayers
At least sevenIraqi provinces have also announced a suspension of official working hours onWednesday to allow participation in the ceremonies, including Baghdad, Dhi Qar,Najaf, Karbala, Basra, and Maysan.
Khamenei, wholed Iran for nearly four decades, was killed on February 28 during the openingday of US-Israeli strikes on Iran. His body is to be flown from the Iraniancity of Qom to Najaf International Airport, then taken to the Imam Ali bin AbiTaleb Shrine for farewell rites, before the procession moves to Karbala for apublic ceremony near the shrines of Imam Hussein bin Ali and his brotheral-Abbas. The body is then to return to Iran for burial at the Imam Reza Shrinein Mashhad on July 9.
: Najaf prepares to host Khamenei funeral procession
