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The Jerusalem Post

Iraq exhibits ancient artifacts returned by US and other countries

 
 Ancient artifacts, that were stolen from Iraq and returned after they were seized by the U.S. government, are displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq July 8, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/AHMED SAAD)
Ancient artifacts, that were stolen from Iraq and returned after they were seized by the U.S. government, are displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq July 8, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/AHMED SAAD)

Iraqi authorities have been trying to retrieve thousands of archaeological relics missing since the US invasion in 2003.

Iraq on Monday exhibited several ancient artifacts that it said had been returned by the United States and other countries long after they were looted and smuggled out following the 2003 US invasion.

Iraqi authorities have been trying to retrieve thousands of archaeological relics missing since the invasion, which was followed by widespread looting in the country that some historians regard as the cradle of civilization.

Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein handed the recently recovered relics over to Culture, Tourism and Antiquities Minister Ahmed al-Badrani at a ceremony in Baghdad.

Most of the artifacts on display at the foreign ministry headquarters were returned by the US after a visit by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Washington in April, Badrani said.

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 Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein looks at ancient artifacts, that were stolen from Iraq and returned after they were seized by the U.S. government, as they are displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq July 8, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/AHMED SAAD)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein looks at ancient artifacts, that were stolen from Iraq and returned after they were seized by the U.S. government, as they are displayed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Baghdad, Iraq July 8, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/AHMED SAAD)

He said other states had returned other relics, but gave no details.

Hussein's further comments

Hussein said more "rare archeological collections" would be returned by Switzerland and Japan this month.

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