Iraq intends to construct a 240-kilometre road between its central Najaf city and Makkah region in Western Saudi Arabia, the official daily Alsabah said on Tuesday.

The "pilgrimage land road" has been on the cards for three years but was halted because of the security situation and weak oil prices, Najaf's governor Luay Al-Yassiri told the newspaper.

He said the project is intended to facilitate pilgrimage of Iraqis to the Saudi city and promote farming, commercial and housing projects.

"This project will have large benefits to Najaf and other areas as it will spur investment in various sectors in the areas through which the road will pass," he said without mentioning project costs or starting date.

(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)

(anoop.menon@refinitiv.com)

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