Iraq's government has ordered its troops to Baghdad's international airport to reopen the facility after the British company that protects it shut it down in a payment dispute.
Acting Transportation Minister Esmat Amer said Friday keeping the airport open is a matter of Iraqi sovereignty. He said flights will resume Friday.
The British security firm Global Strategies Group says the Iraqi government is seven months behind in payments. The company says it will continue to secure the complex, but flights will be grounded until the bills are paid.
Meanwhile, in Baghdad, insurgent attacks have left two Iraqis dead and at least six others injured.
In other developments, former American hostage Roy Hallums, who was rescued by American troops Wednesday, is on his way home to the United States.
Some information for this story provided by AP and AFP.
