Washington lifts banned weapons sales embargo to Iraq

The US yesterday lifted the embargo it used to impose since a long time on the exports of the banned military equipment to to Iraq on the occasion of the first anniversary of the fall of the city of Baghdad.

The US Department Of State lifted the embargo through amending laws on weapons exports to permit such sales to the Iraqi army and police.

A statement by the department said " It is possible to export nuclear military equipment dedicated by the state department to be used by the Iraqi army, or a provisional Iraqi police force, if the President decides it is in the national interest of the USA." The statement added that lifting the embargo also permits exportation of light weapons for Iraq " in order to be used for special security purposes," adding that the President should notify the Congress with the sales within five days of the approval.