BAGHDAD: Governorof the Iraqi province of Muthanna Ahmad Manfy announced yesterday the discoveryof a mass grave with indications that the buried human remains might belong toKuwaiti martyrs who were executed by the former regime in the governorate'sdesert. "Local security forces and intelligence found initial informationof discovering a group cemetery in the desert of Al-Muthanna," said Manfy.
He noted thelocal authorities informed competent authorities to take legal action toconfirm the discovery. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)recently found some remains of suspected Kuwaiti martyrs in the desert ofMuthanna, and took DNA samples to identify the bodies. Kuwaiti authorities haveindicated that the human remains will be locally reexamined for finalauthentication.
Meanwhile,Speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammad Al-Halbousi, accompanied by adelegation, arrived in Kuwait yesterday, starting a three-day official visit tothe country. Al-Dustoor news network said Halbousi was received on arrival byNational Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem and legislators. Ghanem laterheld a luncheon in honor of Halbousi, attended by a number of Kuwaitilawmakers. The governors of Kuwait's six governorates, in addition to a bevy ofIraqi MPs, were also present.
Two days ago inBaghdad, the Iraqi parliament's spokesperson Hamed Shaker told KUNA thatHalbousi's delegation will include Cabinet Secretary General, Hamid Al-Ghazzi,Chair of the Reconstruction Fund Mustafa Al-Haiti, 10 governors, the head ofthe parliamentary oil and energy commission Haibat Al-Halbousi and chairman ofthe energy committee Sherko Miroys. The Iraqi officials and legislators willdiscuss with their Kuwaiti counterparts means of investing the $30 billion fundpledged at the previously held Kuwait conference for aiding Iraq, he told KUNA.
The visitcoincides with mutual efforts to cement and expand economic and commercialrelations, with plans to carve out a free trade zone, facilitate cross-bordercommodity transport and businesses. Officials from the two countries, during alandmark visit by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to Iraq on June19, held consultations on best avenues for boosting relations and cooperationin the economic and business sectors. - KUNA