A new US$1bn (£656m, €766m) museum is being planned on the site of the former Al-Muthanna airport in Baghdad, Iraq.

The museum project, proposed by the Iraqi Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, has been given the working title of The Grand Museum of Iraq.

It is hoped that the new museum will display objects currently being stored in the National Museum of Iraq alongside new pieces, which have been unearthed in archaeological digs across the country.

During the Iraq War, the National Museum was left defenceless for three days as looters stole more than 15,000 objects of historical importance.

The plans have been backed by tourism and antiques minister, Liwaa Sumaysem who met with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid last year to discuss potential plans.

The billion-dollar project has been envisaged as a tourism centre for the war-torn nation and will also include the construction of shops, hotels and a library. However no plans have yet been confirmed, including the proposed location.

The current National Museum remains closed to the public as it has since 2003, but the refurbished Assyrian Hall inside the museum can now be accessed with special permission.