Marriott considers hotel in Green Zone

WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The major U.S.-based hotel company Marriott International is considering building a hotel in Baghdad's Green Zone, a Marriott official said.

The company's consideration of a hotel in the Green Zone, an area commonly attacked by insurgents, came in response to a call from U.S. officials who want to restore Iraq with overseas financial investments, The Washington Post reported Thursday.

"As with any opportunity, we carefully consider all the factors involved. We're evaluating this, just as we are considering opportunities elsewhere," Marriott spokesman John Wolf said.

Low security levels and a depleted infrastructure are main obstacles the Bethesda, Md., company is facing in Baghdad, the report said.

Consideration of the Green Zone hotel comes at a time Marriott is initiating major development in the Mideast, with plans to increase locations there from 26 to about 75 in coming years.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International