Nepal government has lifted a ban that prohibits its citizens from working in Iraq. The ban was imposed some six years ago. The government decision follows a notice issued by the US Central Command in Iraq last week directing all companies working for it to remove workers from those countries who have banned its citizens from working in Iraq within twenty days. The Spokesperson of Labour Ministry Purna Chandra Bhattarai expressed hope that the lifting of the ban would ensure protection of jobs and security of its citizens working in Iraq. He said the government decision to lift the ban applies only for those who are already working in Iraq. There are more than 30,000 Nepalese working in Iraq through illegal channels. Nepal had banned its citizens from working in Iraq six years ago after 12 Nepali workers were kidnapped and killed in that country in August 2004.