Oct 23 (Reuters) -
Kuwait's government has given final approval to settlement with Iraq to
end a standoff over Gulf-War-era debts and lift restrictions on Iraqi
Airways flying to destinations in the West, Iraq's government said on
Tuesday.
The airline row was part of a broader dispute over
billions of dollars in reparations dating back to Iraqi leader Saddam
Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990-1991 when his forces seized
aircraft and parts.
Iraq and Kuwait in March reached an agreement
under which Iraq will pay Kuwait $300 million in cash and invest $200
million in a joint airline venture in return for Kuwait lifting legal
actions against Iraqi Airways.
"According to the decision all
restrictions and difficulties rebuilding Iraqi airlines and on its
freedom to buy new planes and establish its fleet will be lifted," the
Iraqi Foreign Ministry statement said.
Iraqi Airways has regular
flights to Middle Eastern destinations such as Beirut, Dubai, Tehran and
Amman, but legal cases made it difficult to start flights to European
destinations where it risked its planes being confiscated.
Source: http://www.reuters.com
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