Iraq dinar slips past 156,000 against US dollar at Saturday close

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The US dollar rose above 156,000 Iraqi dinars in evening closing trades on the country's free market on Saturday, with the increase recorded at exchange offices in Baghdad and other major cities. The move marked a notable jump from intraday levels, market sources said. Brokers said the gap between buying and selling prices also widened at the close. Both supply and demand movements in local currency markets were cited as factors behind the change, though traders gave no precise figures on volumes. No official statement on the exchange rate movement was issued by Iraqi authorities as of Saturday evening. Traders said market direction at the opening of the new session was uncertain, and no further details were immediately available.