Iraq renews calls to lift sanctions

Iraqi Minister of Commerce Muhammad Mahdi Saleh said on Sunday that UN sanctions imposed on Iraq since 1991 should be lifted due to the catastrophe they have inflicted on the Iraqi people.

On the inauguration of an exhibition of Egyptian products in Baghdad, the Iraqi minister said that increasing the pressure made by the international community on Iraq and improving ties with the Arab states would make the Iraqis hopeful of having their sufferings ended in the near future.

According to Iraqi reports, at least one millions Iraqis have died, mostly children, since the imposition of the UN sanctions on Iraq in 1991.