Saad Ridha, the Iraqi charge d'affairs in Cairo, said the group will fly free of charge on Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki's airplane.

Ridha said that another plane is scheduled on Wednesday to carry more Iraqis in Cairo who are willing to return home.

Many of those returning fled Iraq's violence after the 2003 US-led invasion. Ridha says the flight is evidence that security has improved in Iraq.


Agencies