Iraq: Life goes on

Despite the shelling to which Iraq has been exposed this week, life in Baghdad goes on normally, even the strongest air strike did not arise the care of the inhabitants in Baghdad, where as usual they went to their jobs.

ArabicNews.com spoke with Iraqi inhabitant Ahmed El-Gilani who said that during the last 20 years Iraqis have gotten used to these events, referring to war with Iran, the occupation of Kuwait and the consecutive crises with the United Nations, adding, "Despite the sound of missiles, my family has slept normally."

Thus the inhabitants are currently cleaning up the destruction that resulted from the missiles. Baghdad's streets and shops were open until latest times of this night because it was the first night of Ramadan, and the people bought items they needed before daybreak of Ramadan.

Thus they lived their lives normally as if they living away from Baghdad.

Meanwhile, Kuwait's first deputy Premier and foreign minister, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, has held the Iraqi government responsible for current developments. He also expressed sadness over the suffering of the Iraqi people.

In a statement to the Kuwaiti daily al-Rai al-Am issued on Friday, Sheikh Sabah said the current crisis in the region is between the Iraqi government and the UN, adding, "Kuwait has nothing to do with this crisis."

He added that his country monitors political and military developments in the region closely and precisely.