Iraq mulls Baghdad 'security fence'

The Iraqi defence ministry plans to build a "security fence" around Baghdad to prevent anti-government fighters from entering the Iraqi capital, according to local television reports. The barrier will be made of concrete, topped by security cameras and other monitoring devices, reports said. Trenches will replace the concrete wall in agricultural areas. Eight checkpoints will control access to the capital, according to the report on Iraq's Al Iraqiyya television station. Construction on the fence is expected to conclude in mid-2011. Security officials say they will remove checkpoints within Baghdad once the barrier is complete. Sectarian concerns Wafiq al-Sammaraie, a former security adviser to Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president, said the fence was necessitated by demographic rather than security concerns.