US nuns send humanitarian message to Mrs Clinton to lift sanctions on Iraq

A group of US nuns who often visit Baghdad have called on US first lady Hillary Clinton to back their efforts to lift the sanctions imposed on Iraq.

In a message nine nuns sent to Mrs Clinton, they stated that the "Americans do not realize the destructive effect resulting from the shortage in foodstuffs and medical elements on this country and its innocent people."

The nuns described the sanctions in their message as "inhuman and immoral." They asked Mrs Clinton to intervene with the US president to work for lifting the sanctions.

The nine nuns, who visited hospitals and schools in various Iraqi areas from al-Musol in the north to al-Bosra in the south, said that Iraq is in a drastic catastrophic condition.

The nuns, who visited Iraq at the invitation of some 160 Dominican nuns who live in Iraq, carried medical instruments, educational materials and toys for the Iraqi children as a cost of US $30,000.