BAGHDAD: Governor
of the Iraqi province of Muthanna Ahmad Manfy announced yesterday the discovery
of a mass grave with indications that the buried human remains might belong to
Kuwaiti martyrs who were executed by the former regime in the governorate's
desert. "Local security forces and intelligence found initial information
of discovering a group cemetery in the desert of Al-Muthanna," said Manfy.

He noted the
local authorities informed competent authorities to take legal action to
confirm the discovery. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
recently found some remains of suspected Kuwaiti martyrs in the desert of
Muthanna, and took DNA samples to identify the bodies. Kuwaiti authorities have
indicated that the human remains will be locally reexamined for final
authentication.

Meanwhile,
Speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammad Al-Halbousi, accompanied by a
delegation, arrived in Kuwait yesterday, starting a three-day official visit to
the country. Al-Dustoor news network said Halbousi was received on arrival by
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem and legislators. Ghanem later
held a luncheon in honor of Halbousi, attended by a number of Kuwaiti
lawmakers. The governors of Kuwait's six governorates, in addition to a bevy of
Iraqi MPs, were also present.

Two days ago in
Baghdad, the Iraqi parliament's spokesperson Hamed Shaker told KUNA that
Halbousi's delegation will include Cabinet Secretary General, Hamid Al-Ghazzi,
Chair of the Reconstruction Fund Mustafa Al-Haiti, 10 governors, the head of
the parliamentary oil and energy commission Haibat Al-Halbousi and chairman of
the energy committee Sherko Miroys. The Iraqi officials and legislators will
discuss with their Kuwaiti counterparts means of investing the $30 billion fund
pledged at the previously held Kuwait conference for aiding Iraq, he told KUNA.

The visit
coincides with mutual efforts to cement and expand economic and commercial
relations, with plans to carve out a free trade zone, facilitate cross-border
commodity transport and businesses. Officials from the two countries, during a
landmark visit by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Iraq on June
19, held consultations on best avenues for boosting relations and cooperation
in the economic and business sectors. - KUNA