DIALA / Aswat al-Iraq: More than 20,000 security elements willprotect Shiite convoys heading for holy shrines in Karbala and Najaf, Dialapolice said on Wednesday.

“More than 20,000 police and army forces, backed by intelligence agentswill take part in protecting Shiites heading for shrines in Karbala and Najaf,”Chief of Police General Jamil al-Shemri told Aswat al-Iraq news agency.

“Police have not registered any security violations against thevisitors until now,” he added.

Baaquba, the capital of Diala, lies 57 km northeast of Baghdad.

SH (TP)