Baghdad International Airport Shut Down Over Pay Dispute

Baghdad International Airport was closed down on Friday after a pay dispute between a British security company and the U.S.-backed Iraqi government.

According to published reports, the Iraqi Interior Ministry tried to send a force to reopen the airport but when they saw American soldiers at a checkpoint on the way, they retreated to prevent a confrontation.

'We ordered the forces to pull back after American forces were deployed at the first checkpoint on the road. We did not want to create a confrontation,' acting Transportation Minister Esmat Amer told The Associated Press.

Baghdad International Airport serves as the only reliable air link between Iraq and the rest of the world and its closure is a source of embarrassment to the fledgling Iraqi government.

The airport was known as Saddam Hussein International Airport before the fall of Saddam's regime in March 2003.

The U.S. military has denied any knowledge of the pay dispute or any problems taking place at the airport and refused to comment.

This is believed to be the first major conflict between the new Iraqi government and a western based foreign company since the ouster of Saddam's government in March 2003.

A spokesman for the company, Global Strategies Group, said that talks were ongoing to resolve the dispute.

'We're in continuing dialogue and we're hoping it'll be resolved as soon as possible,' explained Giles Morgan, a Global Strategies spokesman.

According to published reports, Global Strategies employees has not been paid since January 1 when its previous contract expired and talks resumed.

There is no timetable for reopening Baghdad International at full capacity at this time.