Mayor Baqer Qalibaf said he was waiting for the Iraqi government in Baghdad to ratify an agreement for Iran to manage municipal affairs, including waste removal, the Islamic Republic News Agency said.

"As soon as such an agreement would be signed, we would be able to offer services there," the mayor said.

Officials from the Karbala city council said Iraqi workers were well equipped to manage the needs for the city, "Yet, the existing problem in that holy city is lack of sufficient experience in heeding the municipal affairs."

Karbala city council members said they would schedule a later meeting in Tehran to finalize the details for municipal service assistance.